Souvenir is made on the bark of the cork oak (Cork). Hand painted with acrylic paints.
The chimneys of the Algarve come in a wide variety of shapes. They are all different models and for all tastes: cylindrical or prismatic, square or rectangular, simple or complex, the chimneys of the Algarve are a symbol of the region and a testament to the influence of five centuries of Arab occupation. An architectural and decorative heritage present in most cities in the south of Portugal and visible in the narrow streets, in the structure of the houses and in the air of the minarets of the chimneys that adorn the roofs. In the Algarve, no two chimneys are alike, because the more or less complex decorative motifs have always depended on the time of construction, prestige, vanity and ownership of the owner. In fact, it was customary to ask the masons how many days they wanted the chimney to be built to estimate the cost of the chimney to be built. The predominant color was white, but with notable exceptions some colored motifs are still present, especially in ocher and blue. The chimneys of the Algarve played not only a useful role, but also a decorative one, as evidenced by the presence of two chimneys in country houses in a region where the climatic conditions justify it. The chimney used, also the simplest and most functional, was in the oven where meals used to be prepared, and the lacy chimney, smaller and personalized, occupied a prominent place in the house's own kitchen. In practice, the chimney was considered a sign of the presence of people in the houses, a good indicator of the weather conditions and the place where the date of construction of the house was set. The interior of the Algarve, especially Kerens, Martinlongo and Monchique, are the best places to see these centuries-old chimneys in the Algarve.
Material: Cork bark, lacquer materials.
Size: 32х25х2 cm.
weight: 430 g.
Manufacturer: Handmade, own production. Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal.
