1705 Platter
The town of Vietri Sul Mare, once known as the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, is famous for its ceramics. The streets of the small village are lined with ceramic shops. According to the guides, there was a crackdown on cheap Chinese imitation pottery so (they claim) what you buy is the genuine article made locally.
They had several really interesting pieces. It started with religious art in ceramic form, and went up to the early early 20th century. Some of the pieces looked surprisingly modern.
In addition to the traditional patterns of, for example, lemons, there are truly unique and modern pieces. Had we not downsized to a tiny apartment, I don’t know how I would have resisted buying some. As it was, I decided to simply treat the stores as galleries.
​Walked to the neighbouring town of Raito to visit the Ceramics Museum at Villa Guariglia.
They had several really interesting pieces. It started with religious art in ceramic form, and went up to the early early 20th century. Some of the pieces looked surprisingly modern.
Others like these donkeys in a creche scene donkey scene were delightfully whimsical.
From a Margarete Thewalt Hannasch creche scene
The main challenge of this outing walking there. You have no choice but to walk along a busy highway with no shoulders.Â
Once you get there though admission is free and both the art and the views are beautiful. There is also a villa that you can visit, but for that admission is not free and I gather is not worth it.
(Click each image to enlarge)
