The importance of technological knowledge for the valorization of azulejo heritage

Abstract

In this article considerations regarding the importance of recovering and protecting the knowledge of tile production techniques are elaborated. An overview of the Portuguese tile production system is made. The intangible method of knowledge transfer through oral dissemination and learning “by observing and executing/imitating” is observed. A comparison is made with the dutch case, where a larger amount of tangible historic information exists – namely technical treatises and potter’s books - describing the materials, recipes and techniques used for historical tile production. The preservation of this knowledge has allowed potteries (such as Makkum and Harlingen) to continue to use similar raw materials and techniques. This has highlighted the need to create sources of information to contribute to historical information regarding Portuguese tile production techniques. The physicochemical characterization of tiles enables us to draw information about raw materials and production methods. The possibility of gathering of information from contemporary tile artisans-artist has also been suggested, namely from factories that are still functioning or that have functioned in the past. Above all, the article will explore the technical knowledge of tile production as an important intangible cultural value in the construction/development of Azulejo as Heritage.