The most important thing in the Berretta family is the next meal. Growing up I was never famished nor did I consume a large amount of processed/frozen/canned food. Mom made everything fresh and continues that tradition to this day. The local farmer’s market is like a fine art museum to my mother. She worships each round plum and bundle of asparagus as if plucked from the Garden of Eden itself.
There were times as a kid when I wasn’t sure if my friends liked me for me or for my mother’s free amazing meals. One might think that I too would turn out to be an amazing cook, a queen of the kitchen. My current kitchen is approximately 25 square feet – I kid you not. Does this bother me? Only when I hit my rear against the sink when trying to open my fridge. I am no chef.
In honor of Mother’s Day and my mother’s love of food, I thought I would somehow relate this to something I collect. Plates and trivets are the first thing that came to mind. Granted I would never eat off the plates I’m about to discuss.
ITALY:
My sister bought me this fantastic small plate (approximately 5 inches) while she was in Italy for my cousin's wedding. It is marked "Orvieto" on the back side or as I like to say, the verso. Orvieto is in southwestern Umbria, Italy which is northwest of Terni, Italy where my father was born.
A trivet with a scene of Tuscany. Made in Italy. 8 inches – I originally bought two of these but my depth perception failed me when hanging the other scene and became a much missed casualty. This is most likely the most contemporary item listed here.
ENGLAND:
Wedgwood, 4 ½ inches, Porcelain, Ca. 1955 (based on a similar blue one I found listed). This was my grandmother’s and I failed to mention it in my previous blog about all the fine things she bestowed upon me. It features a floral border and three mythological scenes. The verso is marked: Made in England, Wedgwood and X.
A FARM SOMEWHERE (?):
Chicken, hammered bronze/copper/brass (?), 5 ½ inches. If anyone has any ideas on this one feel free to share. I just loved the crazy chicken/bird. I feel like one myself sometimes.
ROMANIA:
Romania, painted wood plate, 7 ½ inches - Again, I just loved the painting on this one and have no idea when it was made.
MEXICO:
Despite the label that reads “La Ceramica de Talavera. Objetos para Regalo. Lagasca 44” (Talavera is a famous Mexican pottery), the verso of this awesome tile reads “Onda, Espana” a city in Spain. So perhaps once upon a time this was made in Mexico and sold at a gift shop in Spain.
Talavera pottery is extremely beautiful. This tile image doesn’t seem to fit in much with the ornate decorative pottery I uncovered but I love horses. End of story.
JAPAN:
This lovely piece marked “Moriyama – Made in Occupied Japan” was filthy when I bought it for $2 at a thrift store. If I had taken a better picture you would be able to see all the gold accents I uncovered, including the trim around the edges. The “Occupied Japan” dates it between 1945 to 1952 when Japan was occupied by the Allied Powers. It measures 6 ¼ inches in diameter and once again has a horse.
TURKEY:
This brightly colored plate is marked "Hand made Kütahya, Turkey". Kütahya is apparently known for its beautiful colored tiles and pottery. I certainly agree and am glad someone else had the chance to travel there, purchase this wonderful plate and then years later donate it to a thrift store. It measures 7 ½ inches in diameter.
Alright, kids, time for dinner. Be sure to wish Mom a Happy Mother's Day.
