{"id":2305,"date":"2015-03-29T23:43:35","date_gmt":"2015-03-29T22:43:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/museolaboratorio.it\/?page_id=2305"},"modified":"2018-11-27T22:50:52","modified_gmt":"2018-11-27T21:50:52","slug":"marchi-da-pane","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/museolaboratorio.it\/en\/themes\/bread-stamps\/","title":{"rendered":"Bread stamps"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

T<\/span>he bread stamp was a tool tied up to the agricultural-pastoral world: produced by the shepherds, the stamp had the function to stamp the mark of ownership on bread dough before cooking.<\/p>\n

It\u00a0 was made by a single wood block (10-20 cm) carved and decorated.<\/p>\n

It was divided in two parts: the lower part, with a distinctive mark on the basis (a conventional mark or the family initials), and the upper side, with symbolic-decorative representation that could be anthropomorphous, zoomorphic, architectural, etc.<\/p>\n

The stamp was also offered by the man, as request or token of love, to the woman during the courtship: with his initials carved on the stamp, he symbolically entrust\u00a0 the woman with the synthesis of his own individuality.<\/p>\n

If the request was rejected or the engagement broke up, the stamp was given back or was broken in sign of contempt.<\/p>\n

This tool was burnt at the death of the person which the stamp was referred to.<\/p>\n

The stamps that follow have been divided into groups, depending on the symbols represented on the handle: the first two are zomorphic stamps (birds and quadrupeds); it follows anthropomorphous stamps (females and males) and stamps with architectural and various object representations.<\/p>\n

Zoomorphic representation stamps: birds<\/h3>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/div><\/article><\/div><\/div>\n

The hen and the cock were subjects always under the eyes of the people’s artists, because they lived in the same houses of the men.<\/p>\n

The hen represented the idea of well-off house, and the concept of being female. The cock instead, erect and upright, was the symbol of an active and healthy virility.<\/p>\n

Zoomorphic representation stamps: quadrupeds<\/h3>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/div><\/article><\/div><\/div>\n

The dog was the symbol of the vigilant and alert defense from the evil and the negative influence.<\/p>\n

Anthropomorphous representation stamps: female figures<\/h3>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/div><\/article><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/div><\/article><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/div><\/article><\/div><\/div>\n

The woman was represented as the personification of the reproductive power and symbol of the nature: the idea of beauty and physical armony was entirely absorbed in the conception of the woman as mother divinity and guardian of the house.<\/p>\n

Anthropomorphous representation stamps: male figures<\/h3>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/div><\/article><\/div><\/div>\n

Among the male rapresentations, were very common those of carabinieri<\/em> (policemen) or soldiers, as symbols of strength, authority and government, as testimony of a situation of subjection and suffered dependence.<\/p>\n

Also religious representations were commons, as symbol of faith and protection.<\/p>\n

Stamps with subject from architecture and various objects<\/h3>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/div><\/article><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/div><\/article><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/div><\/article><\/div><\/div>\n

The subject of these stamps can be associated to architectural elements as windows, wells and bell towers.<\/p>\n

The mullioned window with two lights mean an aspiration to the spiritual derived from religion.<\/p>\n

The well symbolized the water, one of the most important survival elements.<\/p>\n

The key was referred to the concept of defense and protection.<\/p>\n

In the last picture (second from left) there isn’t a definite reference: probably is a technical exercising.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n