Like any self-respecting Umbrian city, Orvieto boasts a thriving artisanal community that spans various sectors: from wrought iron to jewellery, leather and terracotta. Alongside these common handicrafts, there are also some outstanding arts that boast ancient origins and mastery that has been consolidated by years of experience and tradition. This is the case, for example, with the production of ceramics, which dates back to the Villanova civilisations, even pre-dating the Etruscans. The numerous ceramic remains found at ancient archaeological sites and the historical documentation on ceramic artists among the city’s guilds attest to the importance ceramic art has had for over three millennia. Even today, Orvieto ceramics stand out for their excellent workmanship and decorative innovation, made with enamel and in-glazed painting. Alongside this ancient tradition of ceramics there are two other, more recent but no less noteworthy craft activities: the production of Irish lace (merletto d’Irlanda) and wood carving.
In 1907, at the behest of the counts Eugenio and Claudio Faina, a patronage company called Ars Wetana was established, which had the objective of providing women with home-based work that would guarantee a small income without excessive effort. Claudia’s daughter, Maria Vittoria, was the first to obtain a small fund and, together with other women, she set up what later became one of the city’s iconic handicrafts, with original decorations that reproduce animals, flowers, plants and figures inspired by the bas-reliefs of Orvieto’s Duomo.
Wood carving and wood work is a typical handicraft found in many Umbrian cities, but in Orvieto the long tradition boasts a major exponent: Gualverio Michelangeli (1929-1986), who even had an alley (Vicolo) named after him where you can admire his masterpieces even today. From objects and ornaments to furniture for homes, Orvieto’s production of wooden artefacts will not fail to amaze you.