Region
Craft activities in rural areas meet the need of providing the population of tools, clothing and household items in times where territories tended to self-sufficiency. With the mechanization of work and the opening of markets, these activities went into steep decline, fortunately, is being held by rural tourism.The Sierra de Aracena is particularly rich in trades and handicrafts, we shall try to summarize.
The different crafts that develop in this region are:
The carpentry and woodcarving, is present throughout the Sierra to be reminiscent of the pastoral tradition of creating cookware from briar wood, cherry or boxwood, with simple tools like knives, files or awls. Thus, we have a good repertoire of spoons, paddles or "spikes" to make toast, etc.., Objects often decorated with figurative motifs. Most of the artisans of this area by their non-profit activity, although there are craftsmen "specialized" in Almonaster la Real, Cortelazor and Castañuelo (Aracena).
The different crafts that develop in this region are:
The carpentry and woodcarving, is present throughout the Sierra to be reminiscent of the pastoral tradition of creating cookware from briar wood, cherry or boxwood, with simple tools like knives, files or awls. Thus, we have a good repertoire of spoons, paddles or "spikes" to make toast, etc.., Objects often decorated with figurative motifs. Most of the artisans of this area by their non-profit activity, although there are craftsmen "specialized" in Almonaster la Real, Cortelazor and Castañuelo (Aracena).
One activity that has been rising in this sector is the "Seville furniture", which takes place in Galaroza and seems increasingly to an industry. The main object is the cane chair, made with chestnut or walnut and decorated by hand with colorful motifs.Pottery is an art of great roots in the region with two main centers in Aracena and Cortegana and conserves a unique painting technique, "a spoon". In Cortegana traditionally received the potter shaped clay dry land from the area known as "Fuente of Gilas". The land was put to soak in a basin and set foot and baked overnight, during which he drank and was gathering.
Currently, vessels are typically the pots, plates, jugs, "Piporro", etc.., All of the traditional household furniture. The decoration of these pieces is still performed by traditional techniques based enamel mineral (copper sulphate from Riotinto for green, magnesium from Calañas for brown, white powder and cobalt oxide for blue). These colors are applied with the piece off with a spoon around freely, making each piece unique. This decorative technique "to spoon" is typical of Cortegana.
Among the highlights skin jobs saddlery. This work has been easily adapted to modern times through the development of equine activity as a hobby. In addition, the Sierra is full of artisans engaged in leather, which are not indigenous to the area but that have revitalized the industry, making leather and leather items like bags, belts, shoes, handbags, etc..
Currently, vessels are typically the pots, plates, jugs, "Piporro", etc.., All of the traditional household furniture. The decoration of these pieces is still performed by traditional techniques based enamel mineral (copper sulphate from Riotinto for green, magnesium from Calañas for brown, white powder and cobalt oxide for blue). These colors are applied with the piece off with a spoon around freely, making each piece unique. This decorative technique "to spoon" is typical of Cortegana.
Among the highlights skin jobs saddlery. This work has been easily adapted to modern times through the development of equine activity as a hobby. In addition, the Sierra is full of artisans engaged in leather, which are not indigenous to the area but that have revitalized the industry, making leather and leather items like bags, belts, shoes, handbags, etc..
The textile industry was very abundant in these villages but is in decline, slowed by the activity of women's associations or training initiatives and employment and have been preserved embroidery, gold embroidery, bobbin lace, weaving, etc..
A textile industry that has disappeared from this region is the harness, saddlery trade similar to but he used canvas as a raw material against the skin, and was intended to provide tools and draft animals working in the field.
Basket weaving is still important because it produces containers that are still used in the collection of forest products. The materials used are the olive twigs, wicker, etc..
On the cork crafts, today is closely related to the job of "popping" or collection of cork oak, the corkscrews remain the same craftsmen who perform a variety of objects such as bowls, stools, cork and hives small decorative items.
The forge was located in traditionally important as populations or Cortegana Aracena, where the Freneria still exists for the development of elements that help check the horses (bits, stirrups or spurs). Furthermore we find romanería, craft that is dedicated to conducting these heavy instruments, so important a few years ago in agricultural and pastoral areas such as the Sierra. In Cortegana there is an important Roman craft shop there since 1850 and which produces for the area but also for distribution to other regions. The most appreciated is the Roman "borreguera", used to weigh live pigs.
As we see the range of crafts is vast and varied, and representing many traditions have fallen into disuse.
A textile industry that has disappeared from this region is the harness, saddlery trade similar to but he used canvas as a raw material against the skin, and was intended to provide tools and draft animals working in the field.
Basket weaving is still important because it produces containers that are still used in the collection of forest products. The materials used are the olive twigs, wicker, etc..
On the cork crafts, today is closely related to the job of "popping" or collection of cork oak, the corkscrews remain the same craftsmen who perform a variety of objects such as bowls, stools, cork and hives small decorative items.
The forge was located in traditionally important as populations or Cortegana Aracena, where the Freneria still exists for the development of elements that help check the horses (bits, stirrups or spurs). Furthermore we find romanería, craft that is dedicated to conducting these heavy instruments, so important a few years ago in agricultural and pastoral areas such as the Sierra. In Cortegana there is an important Roman craft shop there since 1850 and which produces for the area but also for distribution to other regions. The most appreciated is the Roman "borreguera", used to weigh live pigs.
As we see the range of crafts is vast and varied, and representing many traditions have fallen into disuse.
