Roma parasol : Secrets of a bestseller
The word "parasole" first appeared in Genoa in the 14th century and denoted a large shade-producing object that protected dignitaries from sunshine. The object was rapidly and widely adopted, especially at Roman markets, where it has been
in continuous use since then to protect produce at market stalls from the sunshine and also the rain. Centuries would pass before its popularity peaked again in the 1920s when going to the seaside became fashionable. Use subsequently declined
for a while when tanned complexions were the rage, but recovered forcefully from
the 1980s, this time not only at beaches but in gardens and outdoor café areas.
In the heart of the Roman workshop
In 1986, Tectona launched Roma, a parasol that would go on to become a veritable icon. In all that time, coming up to 40 years, fabrication has been entrusted to the same Roman workshop where traditional and artisan know-how have been handed down the generations. Every detail of Roma has been pored over and painstakingly developed as if it were a bespoke item. The mast has been chiselled from Douglas pine wood, which is incredibly hard. The wooden struts supporting the canvas are also manually cut and insert perfectly into the mast. The handsewn canvas canopy, in waterproofed ecru cotton or coloured Sunacryl®, is crowned by a ventilation system to keep it stationary in high winds. The cast steel base guarantees the perfect stability of the parasol.
A Roma parasol for everyone!
The ecru cotton canvas is a firm favourite but there are actually twelve colours available in total, a riot of colour much like you’d see at a Roman market. Moreover the canopies are available in twelve dimensions in different shapes: round, rectangular and square.
" Beauty pleases the eye, a sweet disposition delights the soul. "
Voltaire
Product care
When the sunny season is over, all you need to do is to dedust the parasol then spray with water, never using a detergent; then let it dry completely; finally we recommend that you roll it then store it in a dedicated storage sack to prevent any humidity spots from developing.
Roma, Ad vitam æternam!
If, after several years, the canvas has started to look a little worn, you have the option of having it replaced by an artisan at our Normandy workshop who was specially trained for this in Rome.
