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antique charcoal iron
Italy
Date: used in Italy prior to World War II
Notes: This charcoal iron was picked up at a garbage sale of an Italian neighbour by the contributor. Hot embers were placed inside the iron, keeping it warm, and powered.
      The photo was taken by contributor.
Contributed by: Mary Melfi

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antique copper water vessel
Casacalenda, Molise, Italy
Date: used in Italy prior to World War II
Notes: This miniature copper water vessel was possibly used by a young girl. The photo was taken by the contributor.
Contributed by: Mary Melfi

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antique copper water vessel
Casacalenda, Molise, Italy
Date: used in Italy prior to World War II
Notes: This copper water vessel was purchased by the contributor's mother on a return trip. In Molise it was called a "quetora" [or "cattora"]; in delle Marche, it was known as a "conga." Prior to World War II every region in Italy had its own dialect and dialects not only included different spellings of the same word, they also included different words to describe the same object. Photo: Mary Melfi.
Contributed by: Mary Melfi

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Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the 1930s?
Notes: The key to contributor's ancestral farm house in Molise (The wheat seen in the photo was grown on this farm).
Contributed by: Olga Palazzo

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antique Italian wine jug
Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the 1910s
Notes: "Fiasca per vino" (wine jug) in the photo belonged to the contributor's grandfather. The wine jug was both a container for wine, and the object from which it was drunk. Prior to World War II it was customary in Italy to bring out the wine jug at lunch and dinner -- the head of the family and his sons would drink straight from it. During the harvest, property owners would bring out a jug of wine and offer it to their employees. The wine jug would be passed from one man to the next. The communal experience possibly strengthened the bonds between the workers and increased the pleasure gained from drinking the most Italian of alcoholic beverages.
      Photo: Mary Melfi.
     
Contributed by: Montreal family

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water jug
Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: made in 1950s
Notes: This "fiasca per acqua" -- water jug -- had a spout to let air out in and out, keeping the water fresh and making it easier for the water to come out when it was drunk. Like the wine jug, the water jug was both a container for the water, and the object used to drink the water. The water jug would be passed among family members and everyone would drink from it. The water jug was also useful on the farm. As workers ate out in the fields, picnic style, the ceramic jug provided a large group of people with fresh water. Prior to World War II few farmers had indoor plumbing, so by avoiding the use of individual glasses, cleaning up was made a lot easier. The use of communal bowls and communal drinking vessels was part of the traditional way of life.
     
Contributed by: Montreal family

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pignata
Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: Used in the 1950s (Was brought to Canada from Italy in1958)
Notes: This terra cotta jug is a pignata. It was used to cook beans around an open fire place and it took a whole day for this meal to be ready.
      Photo: Rita Palazzo.
     
Contributed by: Rita Palazzo

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antique sifter
Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the 1930s
Notes: This kitchen utensil was used to sift flour in the 1930s.
      Photo: Mary Melfi.
Contributed by: Rita Palazzo

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Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the 1930s?
Notes: This miniature kitchen utensil is a copy of the type of scale that was used in pre World War II Italy.
Contributed by: Rita Palazzo

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stampo di ramo
Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the 1930s
Notes: The "stampo di ramo per torta" was used by the contributor's mother for baking. The copper cake pan is still being used for the same purpose in the Bracaglia household (It's that good a kitchen utensil!).
      Photo: Mary Melfi.
Contributed by: Montreal family

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