Going for a ride in the car car!

I had the chance to go to Deruta twice last week -- once with Sharon and then later with Jim.  Deruta is the ceramics capital of Italy, where Majolica ware is created. What is astonishing is the variety of techniques, competence, styles, and colors that are available.  The pots often have adorable swirly handles that are glazed to look like snakes.  The shapes are so diverse, which makes every workshop and store a delight to enter.  There are tiles, amphorae, baubles, ladles, cups, platters...the list goes on.  Not to mention that the drive is also very pleasant.

Given that pictures are worth a thousand words (apparently 768 in my case -- I observe that there's something wrong with my camera now and the pics are damaged...), here goes the essay:

Crucifix outside of the main church

The table & benches in the city park

Detail from the bench.  The faces harken to Renaissance times, when this  was a popular style

Quite a table!

Even the water fountain is lovely

The top of the water fountain

Ceramics work embedded in the side of a building...private house?  Unclear

Look at the frieze!

Closer view of the frieze 

I think this is the cultural office

A small shrine

Another frieze, completely different style -- reminded me of Beaux Arts

The detail on this was extraordinary

Bear in mind that the colors of the glazes are completely different before firing.  Shading is guesswork & experience

The main piazza

Don't you love their Christmas tree?  The local artists contribute the ornaments.

A few examples

I bought a cookie jar here.  The lady was precious.

This was some beautiful tile work outside her shop...sorry about the photo damage, but I thought you could still get a taste of it!

I love all the embedded ceramic work!

One of the main gates into town