Have you ever heard of the pumi?

Ceramic pumi from GrottaglieA pumo is popular symbol of good luck in Grottaglie and more in general in the region of Puglia. Every family celebration and important event is sanctified by the gift of a ceramic pumo, rigorously handmade.

Its name, from the local dialect “Pumo de’ fiure”, means flower bud and it derives from the Latin “pomum” from Pomona, from Pomona, the Roman Goddess of fruitful abundance. The bud is round, with a slightly pointed end, and it rests on acanthus leaves, symbols of immortality or, if you will, resurrection.

As you can see the references to good luck are endless, explaining the popularity of the pumi: there is always a good reason to purchase a pumo or give it as a gift to wish someone a good start in a new activity. Typically, a new family will not move its first steps in the community without its brand new pumi, installed at every corner of every balcony of the new nest.

Wandering in the steep streets of Grottaglie and the neighboring villages, you’ll find yourself unable to keep your eyes at ground level: the show is on the first and second floors, where the whitish buildings boast their beautiful balconies with colorful pumi’s on each corner. You will see majestic palaces, once owned by noble families, decorated with elaborate pumi, modest houses taking pride on their simple ceramic buds, each having found its distinctive symbol of prosperity, fertility and abundance.

Pumi are made by hand by Grottaglie potters in a large variety of styles and sizes: you’ll find simple, solid colored traditional pumi as well as colorful, fancy ones. Follow your taste and bring one home, they are beautiful interior decoration accents, indoor and outdoor and … we all need good luck, don’t we?
By Tiziana Manzetti

Ceramic pumi from Grottaglie Continue reading

An old clay pot from Grottaglie

We’ve mentioned that Grottaglie has been popular for many centuries for the quality and variety of its functional pottery. We’ve found a great picture to show you.
This is an old “pignata ferrata”, a vessel used to cook legumes, tasty ingredients of the local cuisine. Indeed, one of the most popular dish in the area is broad beans & chicory.
The iron net you see on the pot was applied to add resistance to the vessel!
By Tiziana Manzetti
 Old clay pot from Grottaglie - Credits Simone Mirto and Mimmo Vestita

Broad beans and chicory - Credits PugliaLovers.it 

Sharing some lovely pictures about Grottaglie

We have recently added to our website a page about Grottaglie, a charming town in Puglia where industrious potters have been making vessels and more or less functional ceramics for many centuries.
Grottaglie pottery is pretty famous here in Italy, especially for the production of the last century, when the functional pottery has been replaced by lovely home décor accents ad and sophisticated dinnerware.
Today we ran into an article published on “La Repubblica”, a national newspaper, with very interesting pictures about Grottaglie and its heritage. Enjoy!
by Tiziana Manzetti 

Grottaglie and its pottery - Credits: "La Repubblica"    Grottaglie and its pottery - Credits: "La Repubblica"

Grottaglie and its pottery - Credits: "La Repubblica"    Grottaglie and its pottery - Credits: "La Repubblica"