|
 |
| |
 |
Collections |
 |
|
A. Luca Morlin Ceramic Designs There is a small town in the Veneto region of Italy that is very famous for its ceramic industry called Nove. Luca Morlin and his family are from this area, and are wonderful artists. I am drawn to the artisans who create their own designs piece by piece. Although the entire family is involved in their ceramic business, it is the the designs created by Luca that most capture my imagination. Their gentle whimsy and humor have also incredible artistic appeal. Each one is unique, built and glazed by hand. Luca and his dad have even said they would make custom pieces for us if requested! |  |
 | B. Vetro Glass This is Venetian glass, but not Murano glass. It is created in a small town outside of Venice, Italy in a family-own factory, called Marostica. It is mouth-blown from rods of glass, and is blown clear. Color is applied with an airbrush after the shape has been formed, making possible gradations of color. The color is then baked into the glass in a seperate procedure to assure its permanency. The glass has also been tempered like Pyrex, so that it is not sensative to heat, especially important for pieces meant for candles. |
Nove Ceramics Nove is a small town about 45 minutes by train from Venice. The town's entire economy revolves around the ceramic industry. The River Brenta flows right through town and creates a wonderful clay that has been utilized for centuries. This particular piece is called a "Bosa Bufona" which means "fool's pitcher" in the Veneto dialect. These pitchers were originally designed during the time when Napolean was fighting in noirthern Italy. He put an end to the Venetian Republic so he wasn't very popular. This pitcher is actually a deadly weapon! It is double-walled with an airspace between the walls. There is a pierceing in the interior wall. When the poison is poored into the vessel it hides in the air space until the wine is poured in. Of course the French soldiers would have wine with their meals. They would drink the deadly mixture, and when the damage was done, one would blow on the spout which doubled as a whistle, and that would be the all clear sign!
This particular Bosa Bufone was created by a family member in Nove. |  |
 | D. Classic Italian Ceramics Every region of Italy has its own particular style and colors of ceramics. Some of the patterns have been around in one form or another for many hundreds of years. The pieces you see here aretypical in their intricacy and vibrancy, and come from Tuscany. They are hand decorated and food safe. At Venice Holiday Gift Gallery, we carry platters, tableware, jars, plates and candle sticks. |
E. Venetian Ceramic Masks Venice is, of course, well known for its tradition of mask-making. This particular mask is made of ceramic and is a decorative piece meant to be hung on a wall indoors or out. At its widest it measures about 15". It was made in the city of Venice itself. |  |
 | G. Katherine's Collection of Clear Lake Katherine's Collection of Silver Lake has always been a favorite source for imaginative and quality dolls and ornaments. This is "Clarence" dressed up with his pillow and fake beard to play Santa and have a nip or two at the party. With his hair eyelashes and expressive hands, he is a doll more likely to be appreciated by an adult than a child. |
H. Mark Roberts collectable fairies Each year Mark Roberts creates whimsical new designs for the ever-growing number of serious collectors. The Venice Holiday gift Gallery wants to be your Mark Roberts fairy source. In fact, if we don't have the piece you are searching for, we will do our very best to locate it for you. |  |
K. Jacqueline Kent The faces and characters created by JAQUELINE KENT are second to none. You feel you know these characters. The glass eyes reflect light as do our own, and yet they are characatures, not real people. We are very excited about the wonderful new faces and costumes coming this Christmas season. The elegance and attention to detail in the costuming exceeds anything she has done before.
We also carry the charming and non-season-specific Fairy-God-Mothers she is known for in both the 14" size and the minis. |  |
 | P. Kate Church KATE CURCH DESIGNS
If you are a fan of the Cirque de Soliel, you may already be familiar with the work of KATE CHURCH. She absolutely defines whimsy and originality to me, and her designs have been used in some of the Cirque de Soliel productions. Her imaginative characters are full of charm, and we carry many of her fairies as well as the various sizes of beanbag characters carrying gentle messages such as "Handle with Silliness". |
|
|
|
|
|
