Page 170 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

168  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS SHOPPING IN THE BALEARIC ISLANDS  169

Handicrafts in the route from Eivissa to Sant
Balearic Islands Antoni de Portmany, there Simulated Pearls
are many pottery workshops
The production method for
producing beautiful bowls, simulated pearls was patented
Ceramics are extremely popular in the Balearic Islands, just vases and jugs based on in 1925 by Eduard Heusch, a
as in the rest of Spain. One of the most characteristic items ancient Carthaginian designs. German engineer. The recipe
of Mallorcan handicrafts is the siurell – a statuette-whistle Ceramic copies of the terra- for producing a thin bead­
that is made of painted clay. Sa Cabaneta, one of the Mallorcan cotta figurines dating from coating layer is kept secret
parishes, is known as “clay country” due to the large number the Punic era (3rd century BC) to this day, for obvious reasons,
though it is said to contain
displayed in archaeological
of pottery workshops that can be found there. Weaving and museums in Eivissa – part- fish scales mixed with resin.
embroidery are also very popular and leather goods are plen- icularly busts of women – Two factories in Manacor
tiful, especially in Menorca. Mallorca has become famous for are popular as souvenirs and Montuïri produce these
its production of simulated pearls. from Ibiza. simulated pearls, which are
of good quality and, to the
untrained eye, virtually
Glassware
meant “yes”, but if she put impossible to distinguish
it aside, it meant that the The earliest glass vessels from the real thing.
suitor had been rejected. found on the Balearic Islands The beads are immersed
The Romeria de Sant Marçal date as far back as Roman repeatedly in a liquid com­
(see p31), a lively fair held times. In the 16th century, pound, which imitates the Inside the Gordiola glass factory in Mallorca
at the end of June in Sa glassware from Mallorca natural process of pearl
Cabaneta, is dedicated to competed successfully with production. Afterwards, each woven from strong grass or jute, continue to create a stir at
these clay whistles. popular Venetian products. pearl is polished by hand and and hats that are popular with the annual fashion shows. The
Original ceramic products Even today, the bestselling weighed. The production the locals and tourists alike. fashion show Moda Ad Lib is
with distinctive yellow and products tend to be copies process can be seen during a held every June, in Eivissa,
green glazing are produced of ancient designs. visit to the Perlas Orquidea Ibiza. Clothes that
in Felanitx in Mallorca. At the There are three factories of factory. Be aware that the Other Local are shown here
Products
busy Sunday market in this artistic and household glass factory shop sells them at much can later be bought
small town, you can also in Mallorca; the best lower prices than those charged The Balearic in Eivissa’s
purchase blue-and- known of these is by shops elsewhere. Islands, and fashionable
white bowls and jugs, the Can Gordiola glass Menorca in An olive wood boutiques – at
decorated with museum near Algaida, particular, are household bowl high prices.
Ceramic lamps on display in a market delicate floral or on the road from famous for their Traditional gold
arabesque motifs. Palma to Manacor. The production of excellent and silver jewellery has been
In Pòrtol, near oldest glassworks on footwear. In Menorca the produced by local craftsmen
Ceramics the small town of the island, it has been centre of the leather industry on the Balearic Islands for
The art of making pottery Santa Maria del Camí, run by the same is Ferreries. Here, you can buy centuries. Although less
on the Balearic Islands goes there are a few rem- Traditional family since 1719. relatively inexpensive shoes, fashionable now, it is still
back thousands of years. It aining potters who condiment pot Here, it is possible Straw hat, popular in the islands bags and leather clothes. It is used as an addition to folk
was greatly influenced by produce traditional for visitors to watch worth taking a closer look at costumes. Similar to the
the art of the Moors, who bulging pots made of the glassblowers at work. Wood and Wicker some of the sandal designs, enduringly popular fashion in
ruled the archipelago for red clay (ollas) and shallow Using long, thin pipes, they which are unique to this clothing, the designs of gold
several centuries. bowls (greixoneras). can produce a variety of Products island, locally known as jewellery are inspired largely
The item you are most likely In Ibiza, in the small village objects, from lovely small Artifacts made of olive wood abarcas menorquinas. In by hippy culture. Silver and
to see is the siurell, a statuette- of Sant Rafael situated on the trinkets to large vases. are very popular in the Balearic Mallorca the cheapest place metal items can be bought at
whistle made of clay and pain- Islands and can be distin­ to buy leather products is Inca. “hippy markets”, particularly in
ted white, with green and red guished by their rich colour Weaving and embroidery Ibiza and Formentera.
decorations. It usually depicts and unusual grain. Olivart, a have a long local history.
a man sitting on a donkey or factory in Palma, produces The traditional robes
playing a guitar; but it can also a number of basic house­ de llengues – print­
be styled as a bull, a dog, a hold goods, such as bowls decorated heavy linen
peacock, a rooster or even the and mortars, as well as fabrics – are often used
devil. The origin of the siurell is ornamental items and to decorate Mallorcan
uncertain; already known in many other souvenirs. homes, even today. They
Moorish times, it was most likely The dwarf palm, or palmito, can be used for curtains
inherited from the Phoenicians. grows on many of the islands’ and bedspreads as well
The Spanish artist Joan Miró was mountain slopes. Its leaves are as wall linings and
particularly taken with these little used, particularly in Artà, to furniture upholstery.
toy whistles and drew inspiration weave chair seats, baskets, bags Clothes that imitate
from them. The siurell was once and the soles of the espadrille or hippy fashions from the
a highly important item; a man alpargatas. In addition to this, 1960s are still very much
would hand it to the lady of his local craftsmen produce a wide in vogue, and designs
choice – if she blew on it, it Clay pot production in a pottery workshop variety of bags and baskets produced in this style A cobbler at work

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Flashmap follow-on template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.5)
Date 7th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm