Seguire i tuoi sogni…Autunno in Vermont!Lasciaci pianificare il tuo prossimo viaggio.È quello che facciamo. Bene.www.cornucopiajourneys.comcontact@cornucopiajourneys.comInfo Italia: +39.339.438.4415Info USA: +1.603.643.435526
DiscoveringArtisans and CraftsArtisan trades that are passed down from generation to generation,also famous internationallyThere are many different local traditional craftsalive in Mugello that continue to be carried downfrom generation to generation. Scarperia has beenfamous for cutlery for over five-hundred years: in1538 the “Statute of Cutlers” was drawn up and isstill renowned worldwide. In 1906, in Scarperia alonethere were still 46 artisan shops. Today a variety ofknives continue to be made all by hand; table, huntingand butcher’s knives, including the famous coltellod’amore (lover’s knife) of the Coltellerie Conaz, thathas produced knives for generations. Coltellerie Berti,one of the oldest artisans, is famous for its ox hornpocket knife created by David Berti in 1895, now TradizioniAssociate together with Conaz and Consigliknife makers. Other artisan knife shops in Scarperiaare: Coltellerie Giglio, Coltellerie Saladini, ColtelleriaFontani, I Coltelli dell’Artigiano. In Upper Mugello,thanks to the great abundance of pietra serena, artisanmasons continue to work the local sandstone, a centuriesold tradition. Sandstone is an integral part of theenvironment used to pave streets and squares, buildstaircases and embellish building exteriors in many27villages around Palazzuolo, Firenzuola and Marradi(Scheggianico, Tirli, Piancaldoli, Coniale) and SanGodenzo. Nowadays it is generally used in interiorsoften combined beautifully with terracotta, tiles, glass,crystal or wrought iron, or for exterior fittings such asfountains, benches or columns. Many workshops canbe found throughout Upper Mugello where masonswork sandstone. Wrought iron is still widely used ininterior decorations: mainly light fixtures, chairs andtables produced by numerous artisans in Firenzuola,Marradi, Scarperia, San Godenzo, Sant’Agata andLonda. Another local tradition is embroidery. In thepast, peddlers called “barulli,” travelled by mule withcloths and fabrics leaving them with peasant wives,skilled seamstresses and embroiderers who transformedthem into beautiful tablecloths, sheets and towelsfor gentlewomen’s trousseaux, receiving in paymentremnants of cloth that they embroidered for their owndaughters’ dowries. Both Cavallina and Galliano wererenowned for their laceworks. For the past forty yearsthe embroidery school in Borgo San Lorenzo also organizesclasses (for info 055 8458358 or 320 0769071Sig.ra Maria Margheri). Borgo San Lorenzo is hometo the internationally famous Manifattura Chini ceramicswhere Vieri, Cosimo and Mattia, descendantsof the distinguished Galileo Chini, famous artist ofthe Italian Art Nouveau movement, still use the particulariridescent colors and their family’s secret firingmethods for producing unique tiles and a rangeof objects for the home. All works of art, they can befound at their showroom in Via Faentina in Borgo SanLorenzo. Even the art of basket making has antiqueorigins. Usually the baskets were made by peasantsout of wicker or reeds and used in the fields or sold atmarket. Baskets for fruit, vegetables or bread can stillbe found today, especially at the local fairs, in all shapesand sizes. In Mugello it is still possible to find traditionalTuscan chairs made with a wooden frame anda straw seat. The figure of the female flask-covereris characteristic of Valdisieve where women wouldcover glass flasks with straw before being filled withgood Chianti Rufina wine. Leather was worked inMugello since the time of the Medici’s when Barberinowas famous for shoe making. Today thereare many small artisans throughout Mugello andValdisieve that create bags and accessories as wellas producing for famous fashion designers.
Change language