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Within the large group of handmade products there are two
macro-categories: objects made with approved equivalent materials on one
hand, and those made with traditional materials on the other; within this group
there is a kind of royal family, composed of seven
“symbolic” objects, seven traditional products so
recognizable that they have almost become a
“visiting card” for the Valle d’Aosta Region.
TRADITIONAL MATERIALS PRODUCTS
*Farm tools and articles*
Made accurately but with no particular aesthetic
research, these are work tools still used today such
as rakes, casks and brooms. These handmade products
are a wonderful example of the mountain
dweller-craftsman’s resourcefulness in satisfying
the demands of daily life. |
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*Wrought iron*
This craft’s origins can be traced directly back to
the mines and forests of Cogne which supplied the
magnetite and the coal necessary for working the
forges. Largely objects necessary for daily life
were produced, even if they sometimes reached quite
high artistic levels. Working techniques have
evolved considerably; now gates, fences, gate
hinges, and also lanterns, lamps, crucifixes are the
most common articles produced. *Furniture*
Indispensable furniture, made to satisfy the
requirements of the moment, chests for holding flour
and foodstuffs or household linen, small cradles
made by future fathers and given to their brides on
their wedding day, not to mention tables, chairs,
benches, wardrobes, but also doors, windows,
staircases and banisters. Today’s products, while
conserving many traditional features, has changed
from those of the past in that they must be both
functional and attractive. |
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*Carved objects*
Carved decorations in wood, leather and steatite
stone originated as a desire to embellish common
place objects. The first were above all geometric
patterns or stars, circles, roses, solar wheels,
floral decorations, often having a symbolic value
which help us to understand the nature of the Valle
d’Aosta inhabitants: love for the family and land,
sense of ownership, attachment to religious values.
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*Lathe-worked objects*
Many objects for both domestic use and for
decoration are made on the lathe. Plates, bowls,
containers, vases, candle-holders are all made this
way, but the most symbolic pieces of handicraft from
Valle d’Aosta are clearly the “grolla” and the
“friendship cup”.(link to typical local products). *Wickerwork (woven willow and clematis)*
Baskets, panniers and sieves. This is a very
thriving activity in Valle d’Aosta. In the upper
part of the valley where there are no willow trees,
thin strips of wood (hazelnut, chestnut, durmast
oak) having a square or rectangular cross-section
are cut and used as an alternative. |
*Sculptures*
These are made of wood and steatite stone and
represent the highest expression of culture in Valle
d’Aosta. Initially this was a complementary
past-time activity to farm work, but it gradually
evolved and was perfected. Among the most
significant subjects we find saints, character
portraits and scenes portraying family and country
life, local flora and fauna, masks, toys etc. *Textiles, footwear and clothing accessories*
Within this group we find many types of work which
can be considered traditional and typical.
“Dentelles” - pillow lace making from Cogne, “drap”
- woven raw wool from Valgrisenche, “dzeut” - the
weaving of fine hemp thread from Champorcher, “sock”
or “pioun” - slippers made from cast-off fabric made
in the Gressoney Valley, “sabots”- strong,
comfortable footwear made out of wood in Valle
d’Ayas. To these we can add leather products,
traditional costumes and still more. *Household objects*
This is an “odd-sock” category containing all those
products made using traditional materials, but which
do not fall into the previous categories. *Typical local products*
There are objects whose lines are so unmistakable
that they are recognisable at first sight and have
become symbols of Valle d’Aosta; they are
characteristic articles, visiting cards for the
places they come from. They are a community’s mirror
image. Learning about their origin and their primary
use means learning about an important part of the
history of our alpine valleys: Coppa dell’Amicizia
(Friendship Cup), Sabots (clogs), Sock or Pioun,
Drap, Grolla, Dentelles, Chanvre. EQUIVALENT MATERIALS PRODUCTS *Copper*
Household and farming objects, historically
documented in Valle d’Aosta. *Pottery*
This category includes household objects (vases,
crockery, plates, vessels, statues etc) and stoves. *Glass*
This category includes artistic glass windows using
lead and/or tin mountings. Painting on glass also
comes in this group if it is based on “grisaille”
technique designs (decorative monochrome paintings
using various shades, in order to imitate
bas-reliefs, successively fired). *Gold and silver*
This category includes objects or jewels whose use
is historically documented by photographs, paintings
and family collections proving their use in certain
social classes (rings, necklaces, bracelets,
pendants, various decorations...). The products must
be exclusive pieces or a limited number (less than
100 items); elements of tradition materials may be
found in these objects. Courtesy of the
AIAT Gran Paradiss; more... >>>
(c) 1997-2008 E. Massetti
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