Saturday, October 22, 2011

Handmade and hand-painted ceramics from the Alentejo district of Portugal


In the town of Sao Pedro do Corval, a tiny village located in the Alentejo region of Portugal, we collect these beautiful ceramics, which are known for their deep terracotta hue, reflecting the color of the clay and earth of the Alentejo, and vibrant hand-painted designs. After being molded, painted and glazed by the potter, clay pieces are fired two times at very high temperatures. Some of the most famous pots are actually taller than human beings! These pots dry in the sun.


Plates are also well-known, depicting rural themes. One of the biggest pottery centers in the country is located in Corval, based upon a family-run economy and is one of the pre-eminent locations for some of the best artisans in the Alentejo.