Alentejo

These items are homage to the traditional hand painted furniture of Alentejo.

The art of painting furniture in Alentejo began around the 19th century. Contemplative by nature, the people from Alentejo wanted to perpetuate the beauty of the nature in this region of the country by bringing it indoors through painted furniture. These pieces of furniture always had a specific functionality, not being superfluous nor for decorative purposes.

The most characteristic items of this type of handicraft are beds, writing desks, chairs with mat rush seats, wardrobes, bedside tables, mirrors and trunks. The furniture is painted with enamel paint in white, blue, green or red and then decorated with flowers and petals, joined with colourful bows. The artisans usually prepare the paints by mixing linseed oil and drying pigments.