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Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the 1930s
Notes: In the 1930s this utensil was used to decorate home-made cookies (made fine lines on the pastry dough) in the Palazzo household; originally, however, this utensil may have had some other purpose, possibly it may have been used in cut spaghetti or used for weaving or sewing.
      Photo: Mary Melfi.
Contributed by: Rita Palazzo

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Larino, Molise
Date: ca. 1930s
Notes: This utensil "petre" was used when "caragna" crown-shaped sweet fritters were made in Larino, Molise around the 1930s. The stick was used to twirl the dough and make spirals and the mesh was used to make indentations in the dough (See also Italy Revisited/Fritters -- "Caragna -- Cooking Utensil/"Petre" Picture No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4."
Contributed by: Donna Crosto

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bed warmer
Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the 1930s
Notes: The "sacaldaletto" (bed warmer) seen in the photo is a miniature version of the real thing. Prior to World War II the woman of the house would fill a bed warmer with hot embers and then pass it like an iron on the bottom bed sheet of the beds in the house. In the winter most homes were cold as the only source of heat came from a fireplace (No electrical heat back then).
      Photo: Mary Melfi.
Contributed by: Montreal family

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Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: Used in the 1950s
Notes: This polished wooden object was used to place the spool of thread for weaving cloth.It belonged to my maternal grandmother Giulietta Bucci.
      Photo: Rita Palazzo.
Contributed by: Rita Palazzo

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Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the 1930s
Notes: The "porta acqua per battessimo" was used by the contributor's mother for the sole purpose of warming up baptismal water which was then brought to church when her children were baptized. The warmed-up water was first blessed by the priest, and then used to baptize the newborn. Prior to World War II few churches in the countryside had indoor plumbing, so that might explain why the water had to be brought. Also, it was considered an act of kindness to warm up the water so the feel of the water would be more pleasant for the newborn. Besides a water container, parents (or godparents) would also bring along a "tovaglia bianca di lino," a white linen towel to wipe the newborn. The white linen towel would have been sewed and embroidered by the mother of the newborn when she was a young girl. It would have been part of her wedding trousseau.
      Photo: Mary Melfi.
Contributed by: Montreal family

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Guardialfiera, Molise, Itay
Date: made in the 1950s?
Notes: In pre World War II most kitchen utensils were made of copper in Molise. In fact, Molise was famous for its copperware. Those Italians who immigrated to North America and then returned to their home towns often bought copperware as souvenirs. This miniature copper pot was one such souvenir.
      Photo: Mary Melfi.
Contributed by: Rita Palazzo

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Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the 1950s?
Notes: A miniature copper cauldron, brought back from Molise as a souvenir on a return trip.
      Photo: Mary Melfi.
     
Contributed by: Rita Palazzo

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Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the 1950s?
Notes: A typical copper cup used in Molise prior to 1960.
      Photo: Mary Melfi.
Contributed by: Rita Palazzo

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antique mortar
Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the 1930s
Notes: This antique mortar was used to grind spices when the Palazzo family was living in Italy.
      Photo: Mary Melfi.
Contributed by: Rita Palazzo

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Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the early 1910s
Notes: Mortar and pestle used by the contributor's grandparents. Over 100 years old.
      Photo: Mike Fitch.
Contributed by: Lina Palazzo

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