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Arts & Crafts
Arts
and crafts are deeply rooted in the Marches’ territory and has survived
in the form of a very fine art. Particular works have been passed on from
father to son, giving mystery to the magic of creating small wonders and
keeping over time their being part of a precise geographical area.
For
five centuries craftsmen in the Pesaro province have been producing
splendid artistic ceramics, keeping the traditional carpet
weaving and carving wooden and mother-of-pearl arabesques.
In that area stone mantelpieces are produced, melted bronze is
shaped into bells, gold turns into fine jewels and beech turns into
useful tools. In Loreto, the rosary makers do a
religion-oriented working, while Fabriano is excellent in the production
of precious hand-made paper.
Castelfidardo and its surroundings are still the kingdom of accordions.
In the area of Macerata hand weaving is still done, leather is
turned into high quality leather goods and clay becomes fine decorated
pottery.
Wonderful handicraft toys are created in Corridonia and Montefano,
and they are going to be used by children. In Magliano rush is worked by
expert craftsmen to turn into original baskets.
The area of Ascoli Piceno is famous for its wrought iron, its fine ceramics
and artistic pieces of furniture. Beautiful straw hats are
produced in Montappone and Monte Vidon Corrado, while in the picturesque Via
dei Calderai in Force it is possible to watch craftsmen making copper
objects.
Some
traditional sectors of local arts and crafts have taken a clearer identity
over time, such as the footwear sector.
It is still keeping its traditional aspect based on hand-made products (in
the workshops in Ascoli and Macerata areas), yet it also managed to turn
into a high-quality industry with many famous brands.
A different, though equally prestigious, lot awaited the ancient and
refined art of lace pillow.
After being on the brink of extinction, it has lived a new era of
splendour and the village women still create unique masterpieces with
magical and skilled gestures of their hands, in order to meet the steadily
increasing demand for these products.
© 2001 Liberation Ventures Ltd.
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