Wirework

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Wireworking was an important and respected craft. Its development was caused by the immediate need to repair stone, clay and porcelain vessels. In the past, in most of Slovakia, it paid more to the poor to crush a broken container than to buy a new one, because the price of a new container was two or three times higher than the price of crushing. In addition, such a crimped container was thicker than a new one; if it fell, it did not break. A clear exception was Malohont, where pottery had a strong tradition due to clay deposits. Here, people made new ceramics rather than repairing the damaged one. In areas where there were few potters, people with damaged pottery had to wait for this "doctor of diseased vessels." The wireman took his pocket on his shoulder, later a purse, and walked through the villages with his "workshop on his back." This craft was passed from father to son. products, due to which part of the wiremen switched to plumbing.

Today, wire work can be considered almost extinct. Only a few older wiremen grow their craft. Mr. Július Bútora from Drienčany works in the region. Braided wood, glass, ceramics, whose wire completes the design and use and breathes new life into the damaged piece. It also produces beautiful jewelry and wire ornaments.

Mr. Bútora received the Gemer-Malohont Regional Product brand for wire-braided ceramics.