Details
Main content
-
Details of object number: 1574
Object name:sewing machine
Description:Sewing machine with foot pedal on table with side extension. Electric lamp.
Hist. crit. notes:This sewing machine belonged to Mrs Aloisia Bazzanella, whose married name was Turra. Born in Neumarkt/Egna on 4 May 1921, “Frau Luisa”, as she was known in Meran, was the third of five children. Her father, Egidius Bazzanella, worked on the railways, while her mother Anna Fontana was a housewife. Political circumstances led to the family being transferred to the Veneto, where Luisa attended an Italian primary school and also successfully learned tailoring. She met her future husband, Sebastiano Turra, at a party. As a young girl she enjoyed music, was taught to play the accordion by her father and was a passionate dancer.
In 1939-40, during the years of the so-called “Option”, when South Tyroleans were encouraged to emigrate to the German Reich, her father Egidius, alarmed at the prospect of being transferred to Sicily, opted for Germany. Her mother, Anna Fontana, thus sold her small property in Neumarkt. The Bazzanella family first moved to Transylvania, then to the Bavarian town of Dillingen an der Donau. In 1942, Sebastiano Turra, who had been taken prisoner by the Germans, came looking for her and married her.
When Germany was divided into occupation zones in 1945, the Americans arrived in Dillingen and the Turra family was expatriated to Italy within 48 hours; they were only allowed to take with them what they could carry – two small children.
They found a place to live in Meran, where the couple slowly built up a dignified existence. Mrs Bazzanella Turra was an extremely skilled seamstress, working accurately and reliably, with good taste and an iron will. She taught many young girls to sew and a numerous customers remained loyal to her for many years.
She raised her children in a kind and consistent manner. She placed great value on her children learning a trade, helping at home and keeping good company. She led by example, stating that anyone who wanted to achieve anything in life must work. She would rather have sewn all night than see the family go without something important. The only time to play was on major feast days, when she would dedicate herself to playing “Mühle [nine men’s morris]”, and usually won.
In 1970, Anna Fontana and Egidius Bazzanella also returned to South Tyrol with their two younger twin daughters, Anna and Maria Bazzanella. The two older brothers, Josef and Rudolf Bazzanella, respectively died in 1943, during the war, and in 1945, in an accident.
The graves of the Bazzanella and Turra families are located in Meran’s municipal cemetery.
In 1939-40, during the years of the so-called “Option”, when South Tyroleans were encouraged to emigrate to the German Reich, her father Egidius, alarmed at the prospect of being transferred to Sicily, opted for Germany. Her mother, Anna Fontana, thus sold her small property in Neumarkt. The Bazzanella family first moved to Transylvania, then to the Bavarian town of Dillingen an der Donau. In 1942, Sebastiano Turra, who had been taken prisoner by the Germans, came looking for her and married her.
When Germany was divided into occupation zones in 1945, the Americans arrived in Dillingen and the Turra family was expatriated to Italy within 48 hours; they were only allowed to take with them what they could carry – two small children.
They found a place to live in Meran, where the couple slowly built up a dignified existence. Mrs Bazzanella Turra was an extremely skilled seamstress, working accurately and reliably, with good taste and an iron will. She taught many young girls to sew and a numerous customers remained loyal to her for many years.
She raised her children in a kind and consistent manner. She placed great value on her children learning a trade, helping at home and keeping good company. She led by example, stating that anyone who wanted to achieve anything in life must work. She would rather have sewn all night than see the family go without something important. The only time to play was on major feast days, when she would dedicate herself to playing “Mühle [nine men’s morris]”, and usually won.
In 1970, Anna Fontana and Egidius Bazzanella also returned to South Tyrol with their two younger twin daughters, Anna and Maria Bazzanella. The two older brothers, Josef and Rudolf Bazzanella, respectively died in 1943, during the war, and in 1945, in an accident.
The graves of the Bazzanella and Turra families are located in Meran’s municipal cemetery.
Technique:furniert
Dimensions:
- length: 105 cm
width: 44.5 cm
height: 78 cm
height: 128 cm
Institution:Museum of Popular Culture
Inscription:Position: Fuß der Nähmaschine
Content: Pfaff 130
Content: Pfaff 130