PLACE REPRESENTED: Frankfurt , Germany
ITEM: Cap
NOTES: Nicely detailed cap for a nicely detailed city. That was lame. But, there is nothing lame about Frankfurt.
YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 2000s
MADE FROM: 100% acrylic
MADE IN: unknown
MANUFACTURER: Souvenir World
DIMENSIONS: 58cm
PLACE REPRESENTED: Croatia
ITEM: T Shirt
NOTES: A kids t-shirt in the familiar red and white checkerboard of Croatia with the coat of arms over the heart.
YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 2017
MADE FROM: cotton
MADE IN: it is “Made for Croatia” …which means it was made somewhere else.
MANUFACTURER: unknown
DIMENSIONS: size 10
PLACE REPRESENTED: Veliko Tarnovo , Bulgaria
ITEM: Print
NOTES: A vivid print of housing in Veliko Tarnovo in north central Bulgaria which was the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. The unique architecture, including these renaissance era houses, draw tourists and, errr artists.
YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 1997
MADE FROM: Paper
MADE IN: Bulgaria
MANUFACTURER: T. Krastev
DIMENSIONS: 14c x 18.5cm (print)
PLACE REPRESENTED: Dubrovnik , Croatia
ITEM: Condiment Spoons
NOTES: Simple but effective condiment, dip spoons from Dubrovnik depicting olives and garlic.
YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 2005
MADE FROM: ceramic material
MADE IN: Croatia (I assume)
MANUFACTURER: unknown
DIMENSIONS: 15cm long x 3.5cm across spoon area
PLACE REPRESENTED: South Korea
ITEM: Fridge Magnet
NOTES: “Wonderful Korea”. A youth plays a traditional Korean Janggu drum. I assume it is “South Korea”…is drum playing allowed in the North, or tourist souvenirs, or tourists? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janggu
YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 2000s
MADE FROM: ceramic material
MADE IN: unknown
MANUFACTURER: unknown
DIMENSIONS: 6.5cm diameter
PLACE REPRESENTED: Taos, New Mexico , USA
ITEM: Wall Tile
NOTES: The Mexican feel on the tile is apt given we are speaking about Taos (population in 2010 of 5716) in “New” Mexico where about 55% of the population are of Latin/Hispanic descent. According to the blurb on the back of the tile, many artisans and artists have made their home in Taos, which doesn’t explain why this is made in Tucson, Arizona (which is not dissimilar in temperament and 600 miles to the south). Still, it’s vivid.
YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 2006
MADE FROM: tile
MADE IN: USA
MANUFACTURER: Earthtones
DIMENSIONS: 15cm x 15cm
PLACE REPRESENTED: Canberra, ACT , Australia
ITEM: Wall Plate
NOTES: A vivid wall plate with all the sites of Australia’s capital … I didn’t know there was so many.
YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 2000s
MADE FROM: ceramic material
MADE IN: unknown
MANUFACTURER: unknown
DIMENSIONS: 31cm diameter
PLACE REPRESENTED: Krakow , Poland
ITEM: Figurine
NOTES: A dancing couple (at least I think they are dancing) in the traditional clothing (at least I think it is traditional) of Krakow, Poland. This is beautifully detailed and I have no doubt the clothing is regionally correct. Why? Because: Fundacja “CEPELIA” has authorized this. Cepelia was a central union of handicrafts cooperatives, which ran trade outlets dealing with the sale of goods produced in associated cooperatives , made or inspired by the work of Polish folk artists between 1949-1990. Folk handicrafts and products inspired by native folklore are common gifts in Poland. Folk dolls are certified by the National Artistic and Ethnographic Commission of the “CEPELIA” Foundation – Polish Art and Handicraft in Warsaw.
YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 1989
MADE FROM: wood , material
MADE IN: Poland
MANUFACTURER: unknown
DIMENSIONS: 8cm diameter base x 14.5cm high
PLACE REPRESENTED: Peru
ITEM: Por Holder
NOTES: A hot dish pot holder / mat from Peru. The detail, the colour, the texture. What isn’t there to love about this? Suitable for hanging and too good for just holding pots.
EAR (APPROXIMATE): 1980s
MADE FROM: material
MADE IN: Peru (probably)
MANUFACTURER: unknown
DIMENSIONS: 20cm x 19cm
PLACE REPRESENTED: Fiji
ITEM: Paper Weight
NOTES: A paperweight that is also a water globe, a thermometer and a pen holder. There is a decal at the bottom that exclaims “Bula” (which means “hello” amongst other things) and “Fiji”. The wind surfers bopping around inside the hexagon “globe” could be from anywhere of course. When mass production comes to town all identity is lost. Buy something local, it may cost more but it will mean more. Of course if you need a a water globe, thermometer or a pen holder then ….
YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 2000s
MADE FROM: plastic
MADE IN: unknown
MANUFACTURER: unknown
DIMENSIONS: 10cm high x 7.5cm across
