We the Italians July 18, 2016 - 81 | Page 28

th tH # 81 JULY 18 , 2016 # 81 juLY 18 , 2016 read more about #Italian Handcrafts ITALIAN HANDCRAFTS: Ceramics from the Reggio Calabria province By Camera di commercio di Reggio Calabria with Unioncamere The production of artistic ceramics in the province of Reggio Calabria and, more broadly, across the whole region, is one of the most ancient and upcoming local traditions. Thanks to the perseverance of skilled ceramists, coupled with the resourcefulness of capable young craftsman, it stands today as one of those ancient crafts whose origins, techniques and traditions, handed down from father to son, are rooted in a distant past. In wider terms, the first terracotta artefacts date from the Neolithic period and were found in Japan. ghbouring areas, as well as in the regional capital. Traditional production is also found in the towns of Squillace (Cosenza) and Gerocarne (Vibo Valentia). It is worth pointing out that most Calabrian potters, thanks to their appreciation and preservation of ancient pottery techniques, have been able to forge a unique and traditional art, characterised by numerous popular and highly praised artefacts, which are often the subject of symbolism and rituals. Through the use of modern technology, other skilled ceramists, by functionally and stylistically transforming traditional objects, have managed to combine modernity and tradition to launch the production of a series of products taken from popular repertoire. Other ancient clay working centres were Syria, Mesopotamia, China and ancient Greece. Indeed, it is easy to see how this geographical area has had a considerable influence throughout the Mediterranean basin, including the Calabria region. Again, the production of artefacts from these cenIn Calabria, the main cen- tres is strongly marked by tres of artisan pottery pro- the influence of Hellenistic duction are in the provin- tradition and culture, as ce of Reggio Calabria, well as by Byzantine and particularly in the towns Muslim methods during of Seminara, Gerace, Ba- the Middle Ages. gnara Calabra and nei- Many Calabrian ceramic items are the reproduction of objects used by the ancient Greek potters, such as those discovered in the necropolis, with their mysterious votive and ritual significance. Of these, crockery, in particular, are the artefacts that are most often revived and reinvented by local artists. Alongside vase production, there is, of course, a wide range of other objects varying in shape, composition and use. Production stages Ceramic (from the Greek “kèramos” meaning clay) is an inorganic compound material, malleable in its natural state, which undergoes various processes before taking on the shape desired by the ceramist. Ceramics production is extremely vast, with the most unique shapes and various uses. Among the functional artefacts produced, one should mention construction materials (bricks, roof tiles, funnels), coatings for walls and floors and crockery. 28 | WE THE ITALI ANS WE THE ITALIANS | 29 www.wetheitalians.com www.wetheitalians.com