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Lecce
From its first appearance papier mache or cartapesta has always
been a typical element of popular customs and traditions in Lecce.
Although the first works in cartapesta date to the 16th century,
only in the 19th century we have reliable information with regard
to the school of Master Pietro dei Cristi, given this name precisely
because he made religious statues and Presepio figures. At the close
of the century it was mainly the barbers, short of customers, who
worked with cartapesta and the barber shop was also a workshop for
figures. The figures were sold at the Fair of the Puppets and Shepherds,
still held in Lecce today on December 13, St Lucy's Day. Cartapesta
is made of paper made of rags (not containing cellulose) reduced
to pulp, mixed with flour and then boiled in poisoned water to prevent
paper-worm. The mixture is laid in several layers of varying thickness
according to the size of the figure. The statues are modelled exclusively
by hand the most delicate parts being finished off with a hot iron.
When the statue is ready it is put to dry in the sun without any
artificial procedure and then painted.
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Fides News
Fides
News 2004
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