Archaeological evidence has confirmed that pottery production in this village dates back at least to the 11th century . The land registry of the Marquis of Ensenada, from the 17th century, already records the presence of 72 potters. Coinciding with the industrialization period, when glass and metal completely replaced the uses of clay, Faro became depopulated and its potters migrated to rural areas where their products were still in demand. Eastern Asturias absorbed a large part of this migration, with the potters of Piloña, Parres, and especially Cangas de Onís becoming famous. Cangas de Onís once boasted five potteries. The nickname "Pottery Quarter," by which the upper part of Cangas is known, is a vestige of that brief period of prosperity.
In the village of Faro, only one family-run pottery workshop remains , committed to maintaining production and focusing its work on the new uses of ceramics: their aesthetic and decorative value above all else. The forms currently produced in Limanes include plates, bowls, water jugs, figurines such as the rooster and the hen, and small basins; they also create new lines such as borders, interior and exterior wall coverings, and the occasional corporate gift.
The basic pottery of Faro can be clearly differentiated into two types . The first is dark brown, sometimes almost black, obtained by mixing three clays at high temperature, very rich in siliceous and ferruginous materials extracted from the same area; the second is glazed pottery, enamelled in white with decorations in green, yellow, brown and blue.
The decorative motifs are geometric and naturalistic, featuring plants and animals. Among the latter, the "paxara" stands out: half fish, half bird.
Information:
Pottery of Faro:
The village of Faro is located at 4 kilometers from the capital of the Progreso, at about 350 meters of altitude, on Mount La Grandota which was once a medieval fortification.
We will find the pottery in the nº24 of Faro. 33199 Oviedo. Tnos. 985 794 332
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
