Made in Naples & the Amalfi Coast: A Travel Guide To Cameos, Capodimonte, Coral Jewelry, Inlay, Limoncello, Maiolica, Nativities Papier-mâché, & More: Laura Morelli's Authentic Arts

By Laura Morelli

Don't buy anything in Naples, Italy or the Amalfi Coast until you read this book!

Every trip needs a souvenir. When you encounter limoncello, handmade cameos, or the famous nativities of Naples, Italy, you'll be tempted to take a part of the this beautiful place home with you. But how do you know if you're buying something authentic or serving one of the region's many tourist traps? Author and art historian Laura Morelli is here to help.

In Italy, it's not easy to tell the treasures from the trash. In MADE IN NAPLES & THE AMALFI COAST, Morelli leads you through the region's most authentic arts. By teaching you the difference between authentic master artisans and the knock-offs, Morelli will make you every tourist trap's worst nightmare: an educated buyer.

Join Laura Morelli on a journey beyond the souvenir shops into an immersive cultural experience you won't find in any other guidebook.

In this book, you'll discover:

- Practical tips for locating the most authentic goods in Naples & the Amalfi Coast

- Useful information on pricing, quality, and value

- A comprehensive resource guide

- The brief history of Neapolitan art

- And much, much more!

Laura Morelli is a trusted guide in the world of cultural travel and authentic shopping. If you like fascinating historical tidbits, comprehensive resources, and an immersive experience into the history of Italian art, then you'll love this fluidly written book. Bring Morelli's book alongside more traditional guidebooks on your vacation and you'll be sure to come back with the best of Italy in your suitcase! 

Buy the book today to enjoy a richer experience in Naples and the Amalfi Coast...without getting ripped off!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Authentic Arts Publishing
• Release date: Oct 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9781942467069

Laura Morelli

Laura Morelli holds a Ph.D. in art history from Yale University and is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling historical novelist. Laura has taught college students in the U.S. and in Italy. She has covered art and authentic travel for TED-Ed, National Geographic Traveler, Italy Magazine, CNN Radio, and other media. Laura is the author of the popular Authentic Arts guidebook series that includes Made in Italy. Her historical novels, including The Night Portrait, The Gondola Maker, and The Last Masterpiece, bring the stories of art history to life.

Book preview

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LAURA MORELLI’S AUTHENTIC ARTS

& THE AMALFI COAST

A Travel Guide to Cameos, Capodimonte, Coral Jewelry, Inlay, Limoncello, Maiolica, Nativities, Papier-Mâché, & More

Copyright © 2015 by Laura Morelli.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Published in the United States of America.

LAURA MORELLI’S AUTHENTIC ARTS

Library of Congress Control Number 2015901470

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-942467-08-3

EPUB ISBN: 978-1-942467-06-9

mobi ISBN: 978-1-942467-07-6

Graphic Design: Shannon Bodie, Bookwise Design

Laura Morelli’s Authentic Arts: Made in Naples & the Amalfi Coast /Authentic Arts Publishing. —1st ed.

Image Credits:

COVER: © Elisa Chiaramonte via fotolia. EPIGRAPH: © Paolo Cipriani via istockphoto. INTRODUCTION: © DaveLongMedia via istockphoto. CHAPTER 1: p. 2 © Flory via istockphoto; p. 7 © muydulce via istockphoto; p. 11 © Joe Ross CC via Flickr; p. 14 © Wendy Kaveney Photography via shutterstock; p. 17 © Alistair Dunning CC via Flickr; p. 18 © Peeter Viisimaa via istockphoto; CHAPTER 2: p. 20 © Rach CC via Flickr; p. 23 © Arturo Donate CC via Flickr; p. 26 © lachris77 via depositphotos; p. 30 © Wendy Kaveney via fotolia. CHAPTER 3: p. 34 © rechitansorin via depositphotos; p. 37 © Creolina via shutterstock; p. 39 © lillisphotography via istockphoto; p. 43 © Antonio Manfredonio CC via Flickr; p. 44 © Laura Morelli; p. 47 © Armando Mancini CC via Flickr; p. 49 courtesy Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers. CHAPTER 4: p. 50 courtesy Museobottega della Tarsialignea, Sorrento; p. 54 © elisamattavelli via fotolia; p. 55 19th-century table made by Gargiulo, courtesy Sotheby’s; p. 57 © alberto sebastiani via fotolia. CHAPTER 5: p. 58 © wiktory via 123rf; p. 61 © designatednaphour CC via Flickr; p. 64 © Muenz via istockphoto; p. 67 © Brad Coy CC via Flickr; p. 68 © Angeloglia via dreamstime; p. 71 © lachris77 via depositphotos. CHAPTER 6: p. 72 © laura.foto CC via Flickr; p. 75 © Laura Morelli; p. 78 © yomo 13 CC via Flickr; p. 81 © Laura Morelli; p. 83 © Luigi Zarrillo CC via Flickr; p. 84 © Luigi Zarrillo CC via Flickr. CHAPTER 7: p. 86 © Dennis Jarvis CC via Flickr; p. 88 © Laura Morelli; p. 90 © Amphipolis CC via Flickr; p. 91 © Amphipolis CC via Flickr. RESOURCES: p. 92 © Angelafoto via istockphoto; p. 95 © Trey Ratcliff CC via Flickr; p. 96 © Julia JanBen CC via Flickr; p. 98 © Rawle C. Jackman CC via Flickr; p. 100 © Antonio Manfredonio CC via Flickr; p. 103 © CameliaTWU CC via Flickr; p. 106 19th-century table made by Gargiulo, courtesy Pandolfini Casa d’Aste; p. 108 © max-b via istockphoto; p. 113 © Luca di Ciaccio CC via Flickr; p. 117 © Martha de Jong-Lantink CC via Flickr. AUTHOR PHOTO: Sarah DeShaw

Contents

1 How to Shop in Naples & along the Amalfi Coast

2 Cameos & Coral Jewelry

3 Ceramic Arts: Capodimonte & Maiolica

4 Intarsia

5 Limoncello & Other Treats

6 Nativities

7 Paper

Resources

Index

About the Author

Also by Laura Morelli

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I am from Naples so I like the mixture of drama and comedy all together.

—SOPHIA LOREN

Italians have the most wonderful expression— che dramma napoletano ! (What a Neapolitan drama!)—and I can think of no other word more perfect than drama to sum up this city of pure spectacle. Hands down, Naples is one of my favorite places in Italy. My Italian friends tease me about being nuts about Naples, as southern Italy retains its unfortunate stereotype as the backward cousin of the more sophisticated north. It may be my southern upbringing, my love of the sea, or my appreciation for dark humor and warm-hearted people that make me feel at home in this chaotic city, but I relish its rhythm and its fascinating nooks and crannies. For people like me with a passion for traditional cultures, Naples remains one of Italy’s most compelling places. The city and its surrounding region uphold an intensely old-fashioned culture in which family, religion, and Old World trades form the heart of daily life.

Today, international visitors flock to Campania, a region encompassing the city of Naples, the popular island of Capri, the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the stunning coastline known as the Amalfi Coast or costierea amalfitana. If you look beyond the stereotypes that have cast an unfair shadow over this region, you’ll discover some of Italy’s most interesting cities and towns, brimming with local color and rich history. While Neapolitan museums and ecclesiastical institutions are treasure troves of art history, a more immersive experience lies in the hands of living artists practicing centuries-old traditions in workshops and studios across the region.

It’s impossible not to want to take a little piece of Naples and its region home with you. In our world of mass production, many of us yearn for unique, culturally authentic, and immersive experiences. I can think of no better way to appreciate Neapolitan culture than by experiencing firsthand the stories, the people, and the beautiful objects behind the timeless traditions of this captivating region. Naples and its coast hold incomparable rewards for those adventurous enough to peel back its rich layers.

1

How to Shop in Naples & along the Amalfi Coast

For a first-time visitor, Naples can prove an overwhelming experience. We all want to come home from Napoli with a special souvenir, but selecting what to bring home can be intimidating. How do you know if you’re buying something authentic and high quality, something made in the region, something made in a traditional way? How do you gauge how much you should pay, and how do you know if you’ve fallen prey to one of the city’s notorious scams?

Is the pursuit of authenticity worth all the trouble? You bet. To learn about the authenticity of Neapolitan craft traditions is to immerse yourself in the history of the city and the spirit of the Neapolitans themselves. In fact, I would argue that it’s one of the best ways to experience Naples from the inside out, ensuring that you’ll go home with memories–and hopefully a meaningful souvenir—to treasure for a lifetime.

The craft traditions of Naples are deeply embedded in the city’s history, as far back as the ancient world. The ancient Greeks put their mark on the urban fabric, and the Romans left behind an artistic legacy that encompassed works from majestic temples and to minute cameos. Painters to sculptors, luthiers to cobblers, and makers of everything from hats to belts, keys, bracelets, goblets, rugs, lamps, spoons, shoes, and stockings had a role to play in preindustrial Neapolitan society. By the Middle Ages, the neighborhoods of Naples pulsed with the lifeblood of these trades. The royal families who eventually made Naples their capital only served to bolster this thriving culture of artisanal expertise by patronizing makers of fine objects in wood, metal, ceramic, textiles, and other materials.

Historically, artisans were scattered across