FOR SOMEONE WHO... HAS A MODERN FLAIR

FOR SOMEONE WHO... APPRECIATES ART

FOR SOMEONE WHO... LOVES ANIMALS

FOR SOMEONE WHO... IS A HOPELESS ROMANTIC

 

FOR SOMEONE WHO...VALUES GOOD LUCK

FOR SOMEONE WHO... EXPLORES THE SEA

FOR SOMEONE WHO... ENJOYS ENTERTAINING

FOR SOMEONE WHO... CELEBRATES

FOR SOMEONE WHO... HONORS NOBILITY

FOR SOMEONE WHO... FEELS THANKFUL

FOR SOMEONE WHO... ADMIRES NATURE

 

FOR SOMEONE WHO... IS AN ITALY AFICIONADO

Today we are sharing some thoughts from Stefano, our Italian partner. He recently witnessed the human chess game in Marostica. 

I want to share with you a great experience I had few days ago: the Historical Live Human Chess Game in Marostica.

Marostica is a small town of the Veneto Region, near Bassano Del Grappa. According to some archaeological finds, Marostica dates back to the Ancient Roman time. After the fall of the Roman Empire it was the object of conquest for centuries by Ostrogoths, Byzantines, Lombards, and many more armies, even Napoleon.

For that reason, over the centuries, two castles have been built together with beautiful walls that perfectly arrived to us. The two castles, lower and upper, date back to 1312, while the construction of the walls began in 1372. Every time that I arrive in Marostica, driving from the front of the castles, I look at the walls, fascinated and amazed. 

Entering the town through the lower castle you’ll be immediately greeted by the beautiful "Piazza Degli scacchi” (Square of Chess). Surrounded by historic buildings, the center of the square features a giant chessboard where, once every two years, an event famous the world over takes place: the Historical Live Human Chess Game.

The legend of the Chess Game dates back to 1454. It is said that in that year two brave warriors, Rinaldo D'Angarano and Vieri da Vallonara, madly fell in love with Lionora, the beautiful daughter of Taddeo Parisio, the lord of the castle. To claim the right to marry her, they were challenged to a duel, as it was customary at that time. Taddeo Parisio, who did not want to lose either of the talented youths, prevented the bloody clash and decided that Lionora would marry the one who could win the match in a noble game of chess. The loser would become a relative as well, marrying Oldrada, the sister of the lord, young and beautiful as well.

Taddeo ruled that the chess game would be held on a festive day in the square of the Lower Castle, using large live pieces, armed and marked by the white and black signs. He also decided that the competition would take place in the presence of himself, his charming daughter, the lords of Angarano and Vallonara, the nobles of the close cities and all the people. The challenge would be honored by an exhibition in the field featuring artists, dancers, infantry and cavalry, fireworks and lights. 

And so it happened. The square was crowded with archers and halberdiers, infantrymen and knights, the castellan and his court with Lionora and Oldarda, ladies, gentlemen, the herald, falconers, pages and bridesmaids, standard-bearers, musicians and villagers, and of course the wonderful white and black pieces with kings and queens, rooks and knights, bishops and pawns. Rinaldo d'Angarano and Vieri da Vallonara ordered the moves of the living chess pieces. At the end of the challenge, a blaze of fireworks, lights, and festive shouts greet the winner.

Today, as then, the emotion is renewed! In a sumptuous frame of precious costumes and gonfalons, charming ladies and intrepid knights, zany jokers, jugglers and fire-eaters, we are reminded of the old times and of a passionate love affair.

It's truly exciting to see this event! About 600 people volunteer as actors. The entire small town is involved in this event. I was amazed to see this enormous number of people in costume... Women and men, children and grandparents, everybody was perfect in their role, moving together with the others and creating marvelous scenography. They truly reproduced the atmosphere of ancient times.

If you happen to be in the area in September 2018, don’t miss this event. Be sure reserve tickets for the night show, which sells out early! We bought our tickets only 10 days before and there were only tickets for the afternoon match available: no fireworks and special lighting.

To get a sense of this darling event, explore Marostica in the videos below.

Marostica Live Chess Match from POVitaly on Vimeo.

We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to our collections. With it's warm color palette featuring autumnal hues, this leaf pattern is sure to be a seasonal tabletop favorite. 

Lungotevere is the waterfront along the Tiber River that winds through Rome flanked with beautiful trees that show their spectacular colors in the fall. This is the inspiration for our new collection celebrating the palette of the season and capturing the movement of the leaves as they transform and fall.

This collection now available and pairs beautifully with Taormina and Laccata Puro. For a touch of added flair, accent your table with our Biancheria Gold and Rust Placemat and Napkin and our Villa d'Este glassware in Amber... they make the perfect Fall Collection!

One cannot think of Italian travel without art coming to mind. Some of the worlds most exquisite art is featured in galleries and museums across Italy. We have selected a few of our favorites that showcase a variety of styles. 

Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze - Founded in 1784, this Florence gallery houses one of the most famous pieces of art in the world, David by Michelangelo. Seeing David and his beauty in addition to the skill involved is remarkable.

The Vatican - From architecture to gardens to walls and ceilings, The Vatican is one large museum! Everywhere you look there is beauty. To have your breath taken away, visit the Basilica of St. Peter. It's dome dominates the Rome skyline, beaconing visitors to come see this awe-inspiring structure.

Santa Maria delle Grazie - Within this collection is one of the world's most famous paintings, DaVinci's The Last Supper. If your Italian travels bring you to Milan, this work is a must see. Due to humidity and the surface it was painted on, the painting has deteriorated over the years. This work is a favorite of Julie Jurden, Owner of Modigliani. She describes it as "breathtaking."

Peggy Guggenheim Collection - Located within the Palazzo where Peggy once lived, this collection showcases some of the most prestigious collections within 20th Century art. From Picasso to Pollock, this Venetian treasure is a modern art lovers delight. 

Inspired by the masters of the past, the artists for Modigliani Italian Ceramics, applies that inspiration to all their creations. We invite you to browse our collections of handmade, hand painted Italian ceramics to get a little inspiration for your table.  

As the heat rises, we love to serve a beautiful and light salad. This recipe works well as a starter, side dish, or even as the main dish. Serve on our Mediterraneo Oval Serving Platter.

INGREDIENTS:

250g rocket / baby leave salad
1 pear, washed
50g walnut halves
80g gorgonzola
2 tbsp oak roast / dried tomatoes
Extra-virgin olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

METHOD:

• Wash the rocket and dry well. Scatter over a large shallow platter.
• Quarter and core the pear and final slice it before arranging it on top of the rocket.
• Dice the blue cheese into 2cm cubes and scatter it on top of the pears.
• Top with the walnuts and the tomatoes.
• Season with a little salt, freshly ground black pepper, a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a good quality balsamic vinegar.
• Serve alone or with bread, rather as a starter of a side dish.

Recipe from Silvia Nacamulli's CookingForTheSoul.com

Nestled in Italy's northern region on Veneto, Venice is truly a city like no other! From famous canals of shimmering waters to it's rich history, Venice welcomes travelers to explore and fall in love. 

From gondolas to canals, and amazing restaurants with the most romantic ambiance, Venice is a must see city for anyone. The scenic architecture as you drift in front of palazzos, churches, and palaces along the Grand Canal, will make you feel as though you've stepped into a painting. 

Venice is located on the site of 117 small islands separated by canals and joined by bridges. While often seen in movies and on television. Viewing this city with your own eyes is more dreamlike than you could imagine. Built on mud, the city is a modern marvel of architecture. Within it's canals are some of the world's most spectacular works of art. 

Venice Favorites:

Torre dell'Orologio— This clock tower was originally constructed starting in 1493. It displays the time, the phase of the moon, and the dominant sign of the Zodiac. 
Ca 'Pesaro—Discover a variety of modern art paintings and sculptures at this museum.
Galleria dell' Accademia di Venezia—View art from pre-19th century in one of Venice's best museums.
Campamnile di San Marco— This bell tower was erected in 1912. The views from the top of this structure are fantastic and a must see on your travels. 
Rialto Market - Your senses will come alive at the bustling market!  Select moeche (soft-shell crab) from the Pescaria or grab locally grown seasonal vegetables at the neighboring stalls. 
Palazzo Ducale - A grand Gothic palace built in the 9th century, was once the palace of the Doge of Venice. In 1923 it became a museum beloved by Venetian visitors. 

Top Venice Travel Mistakes:

Overpaying for Transportation - To save money on transport costs. Plan out your sightseeing. While the tourist travel cards are great, you can get around the city like many of the locals do... on foot.
Don't Miss Out - Venice has a great variety of places to visit. Many travelers make Venice a stop over. To truly explore the city, allow for a week. 
Overpacking - Traveling through Venice can be crowded. Pack light and save yourself some stress. 

Are travels to Venice not in your future? Bring a touch of this picturesque city home with our Veneto collection. Sharing four scenes from the famous city of canals and Carnivale celebrations, our Veneto Collection comes in a set of four to be hung or used as appetizer plates.

Cool off from the summertime heat, Italian-style. Italian Ice Pops are a delightfully easy way to beat the sweltering heat.

Ingredients:

1 (12-ounce) bag or 1 1/2 cups frozen raspberries, defrosted

1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves

1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 lemon)

3 or 4 tablespoons simple syrup, recipe follows

14 wooden ice pop sticks

Simple Syrup:

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

Directions

In a blender, combine the raspberries and the mint. Puree until combined. Add the lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of the simple syrup. Blend to combine. Taste the mixture and add the remaining 1 tablespoon simple syrup if you like. Spoon the mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze for approximately 30 minutes, or until partially frozen. Insert the wooden sticks and return trays to the freezer for another 3 to 5 hours.

Simple Syrup:

In a saucepan, combine water and sugar over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved. Take pan off heat and cool the syrup. Any extra cooled syrup can be saved in an airtight container.

Yield: 1/2 cup

Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis

This recipe was taken for The Food Network. Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/italian-ice-pops-recipe.html?oc=linkback

The warm Summertime air is a perfect excuse to entertain! If you are looking to have friends and family over but want to go beyond the traditional 4th of July BBQ, a gelato party is the way to go! In a color palette of red, white, and blue, our team has designed the perfect handmade Italian, table setting for your friends to gather and put a new twist on the ice cream social.

Start your table design with a simple red burlap or linen tablecloth. This color makes a beautifully bold base for all your ceramics. In this tablescape, we have chosen items from our Porto Venere, POP Check,  POP Circle, POP Line, Rosso, Tivoli Solids, and Via Veneto collections. These collections feature similar color schemes, making them so easy to mix and match to bring your table to life. 

The next step is to layer! We stacked our Porto Venere Charger with a Rosso Salad Plate and topped it with a POP Circle Fruit Bowl. You could choose to layer pieces from these collections differently, depending on your taste.

Now let the fun begin! Guests will be served their favorite gelato and for an extra dose of Italy, a cannoli! A variety of delicious toppings are added to the table in Rosso Appetizer Dishes allowing each guest to prepare their treat in their own way!

So as you think about your Independence Day gathering, a neighborhood BBQ, or perhaps a child's birthday party, consider an Italian-themed gelato party!

You can shop the entire collection here!