04/16/12 - Calle Fuentarrabía, 2
We have the same taste |
At the other end of the cost spectrum, the Royal Tapestry Factory fulfills custom orders at a dignified pace, much as it has done since the early 18th century, when King Phillip V started a factory in Madrid with the help of Belgian master weavers. The current factory, a brick building near the Atocha train station, has been in operation since the 1880s. It contains a museum with a half-hour guided tour for 4 euros.
The museum tour lets you watch highly-skilled artisans at work (no photos allowed, but you can view the process from home in this 3-minute video). In fact, we stood inches from the blue-smocked workers. We observed their fingers flying, and heard the thump of their mallets as they tamped down woven threads. My tour group of inquisitive middle-aged Spanish ladies even engaged the artisans in banter.
Tapestry based on a Goya illustration, Royal Tapestry Factory |
Casa Hernanz we visited in February. About four customers waiting for service. I can't imagine the system in a busy period. Love the alpargatas in the photos. If I had seen them, I certainly would have bought.
ReplyDeleteThe Real Fabrica is a favorite place that I have visited a few times. No purchases there, but I remember reading a book by Dorothy Rodgers, wife of Richard Rodgers of Rodgers & Hammerstein, and she ordered carpets for their dream home in the country (NY or CT) from this factory. The book is old, and I believe it went to a library sale, but some people really do have those beautiful treasures in their home.
Love your blog...is this purely for fun or do have another plan?☺
Hi Kay--this blog is purely for fun! A way to organize my lovely free time while I'm in Spain (I do have a an administrative-type job, very part-time). Sadly, my year here is fast coming to an end, and I will return to Wisconsin to ponder the next chapter...
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