| Portugal offers a wide variety of handcrafted items in | | | | the early 15th century tradition and has become the |
| artists' studios, factory showrooms, department and | | | | hallmark of the country's handcrafted art. Glazed |
| hardware stores in all the important cities. You can buy | | | | pottery can be used both in the kitchen and as |
| these items as souvenirs for your loved ones. | | | | dinnerware in the dining room. |
| Pottery - Black pottery | | | | Some of the popular items are cookie jars, dessert |
| You can buy exquisite handcrafted black pottery items | | | | plates, spoon rests, dinner plates in white and blue |
| from Molelos in northern Portugal. The artisans come | | | | colors and soup bowls. |
| from families that have been in this job for generations. | | | | Tiles |
| They have worked on the tools that are as old as 150 | | | | Tiles of various sizes, colors and designs are very |
| years. They specialize in the old and traditional black | | | | popular with the tourists. They are painted by |
| pottery. | | | | experienced artists in attractive mural designs such as |
| The pottery items are baked at 800 Celsius in kilns | | | | sun flowers, gardens and spring baskets. The spring |
| fired with resinous pine bark and branches. The black | | | | basket mural is very suitable for kitchen above the |
| pottery comes with a silvery shine and smooth finish | | | | stove or on the kitchen table. |
| reminiscent of the Etruscan Bucchero Ware of the 7th | | | | Tiles are also designed with contemporary art in |
| to 5th century BC. | | | | attractive colors such as solid red, greens, honey |
| Some of the important black potter items are jars, | | | | colors that cannot be easily replicated. These can be |
| flowerpots and oil lamps that are made in varying | | | | used in walls as well as tray displays. |
| sizes. | | | | Textiles and Embroidery |
| Quartz Inlayed Handmade Pottery - Unglazed | | | | Traditional products in this category include linens, felt |
| The traditional quartz inlayed handmade pottery is | | | | work, embroidery, jewelry and many other things. |
| produced in Nisa, in central Portugal. Some of the | | | | Several embroidered items in attractive designs and |
| popular items in this genre are handcrafted unglazed | | | | colors are available throughout Portugal. They include |
| pitchers and plates of different sizes and colors that | | | | aprons, loom wool blankets, crochet socks, table skirts, |
| can serve as beautiful decorative pieces. These items | | | | needlepoint rugs, tapestries and so on. |
| require lots of patience and practice and are created | | | | Needlepoint rugs and tapestries are made from the |
| especially by women. | | | | finest quality pure wool, fast-color dyes and long lasting |
| The quartz inlay pitcher is 10 inch tall. The plates are | | | | mesh. They are among the most favored items of |
| available in 10 and 12 inch diameters. It should be noted | | | | purchase by the tourists as they are made by hand. |
| that these items are only for decoration and cannot be | | | | They are considered the most beautiful creations and |
| used on dining tables. | | | | their artistry dates back to more than three centuries. |
| Glazed Pottery | | | | They are used to decorate homes. About 80% of |
| Glazed pottery is created with rich Portuguese clays in | | | | these items are widely exported to foreign countries. |