IPCB - Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco
Janeiro de Cima, Fundão
Between the Gardunha and Açor mountains, near the Santa Luzia dam and on the banks of the river Zêzere, lies Janeiro de Cima. The village houses line the narrow streets in their schist masonry, rounded pebbles and clay, in a multitude of textures and irregular patterns. In addition to the popular architecture, the traditional barges and the Casa das Tecedeiras (Weavers’ House) complete the village’s characteristic features.
Flax, a plant once used in the small textile cottage craft industries from north to south, particularly in Janeiro de Cima, was produced and worked in rural areas, especially by the women, who devoted any spare time they had from their domestic chores to this activity.
The inspiration for the design of this object was the scutch, a utensil used to free the textile fibres from the woody parts of the flax. The piece takes its triangular shape from the original tool, in which the texture of the wood is evident and the connection to the textile makes sense. In this accessory, the traditional and the timeless have become a reality for the urban woman who values the environment and the use of natural fibres. From the weave of the fabric, the texture of the schist and wood from the region comes a clutch for the contemporary woman.
Beech wood clutch with carry bag and a small interior pocket, both in embossed paste printed linen.
