Valle d'Aosta itineraries
Artisans

*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.

*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... >>>

© 1997-2010 Enrico Massetti
TangoItalia - Food, Wine, Travel, and... tango in Italy.