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Buon Natale, Y'all!

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Buffalo Trader Online

We've all heard the phrase, "It's all about the presentation." Whether you're serving down-home delights or a delectable Italian feast, no truer words have been spoken, at least when it comes to dining! Even a simple meal of pasta tossed in olive oil and fresh garlic cloves can become magnificent when served from a beautiful mouth-blown clear glass bowl adorned with hand-placed pewter such as the Arte Italica Tesoro Pewter & Glass Pasta or Soup Bowls. Or perhaps the Arte Italica Tuscan Piccola Bowl from the eternally elegant Tuscan Collection would make a perfect gift for the cowgirls on your shopping list with discerning taste. The Arte Italica Vintage Pewter Large Pitcher for example is so incredibly timeless that it would blend beautifully with a traditional table setting to a contemporary. Or use it as a holiday centerpiece by using it as a vase featuring a hearty bouquet of snow white roses. That's sure to be a conversation piece!

All Arte Italica pieces are hand crafted by artisans through generations of proud Italian heritage! Each piece receives special handling to prevent damage during shipping and can be conveniently drop-shipped to any address provided within the US and Canada. Take advantage of this incredible offer and Happy Holidays!

Posted in Kitchen & Dining

Stunningly Splendid

Posted on May 07, 2011 by Buffalo Trader Online

The Italians are known for a variety of amazing cultural donations in the realms of culinary, music and most notably, fine art. Artists like Giotto, Donatello and da Vinci all hailed from the great city of Florence, Italy as did our beloved Michelangelo. In the autumn of 1504, Florentines were witness to what is known today as one of the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance. Michelangelo's David finally reached its destination at the Piazza della Signoria after some four days of carefully attentive transporting from the artist's studio.

The 17-foot depiction of King David of the Old Testament was sculpted entirely of a solid piece of marble. Although spectacular, solid marble was a more costly option for artists. Fortunately, for Florentine artists, one of the most well known alabaster quarries lay accessible to their city. True alabaster is a soft, fine-grained form of gypsum that is easily carved. Ranging in colors from whites to pinks, alabaster is slightly translucent and can be made as hard as marble when subjected to intense heat. This was also used to make vases and lamp bases as well as statues and decorative interiors. Because of the fine quality of the alabaster mined in this region, Italian alabaster is also known as ‘Florentine marble.'

Buffalo Trader Online is proud to offer some beautifully crafted pieces inspired by Florentine alabaster. Meaning "bright" in Italian, the Splendore collection by Arte Italica features handmade glass pieces trimmed in extraordinary pewter beading. Enjoy the Arte Italica Splendore Pewter Bead Rimmed Round Platter as a stunning service piece or relish in the simplicity of the Arte Italica Splendore Glass & Pewter Mugs. For those who prefer to observe fine Italian craftsmanship on a more daily basis, BTO also offers the entire Splendore collection for bath!

Posted in Kitchen & Dining