An ordinance published today in the Official Gazette recognizes Corvo’s beret, one of the treasures of Azorean knitwear, as a artisanal product that is part of the collective brand of origin “Artesanato dos Açores”.
The Vice-Presidency of the Government, through the Regional Center for Handicrafts, is responsible for creating the collective brand “Artesanato dos Açores” which is intended to certify the origin of handicraft products and their quality.
The beret from Corvo, whose origin is lost in time, but the production endures to this day, is done in tricot with a set of 5 needles, originally with local wool dyed in dark blue with a narrow bar (grega) , worked with the traditional natural white. In some cases, in the edge is also applied a brim made also knitted and reinforced with fabric. At the top is placed a pompom with a unique dimension.
The beret, used in the early 20th century, was part of the whaler’s apparel. It would have been by influence of Scottish fishermen that the people from Corvo learned to do them. This same type of beret was produced in Scotland since the 16th century, a time when some specimens remain, and its model and method of confection has remained unchanged ever since.
Certify handicraft products such as the wool beret from Corvo is not only a form of quality assurance and production authenticity, but also a way to differentiate and single out a product with specific features within a particular culture, and to inform and promote the consumer’s confidence.
The Regional Government of the Azores aims to enhance and promote regional products, encourage the certification of products, the brand images, the protected geographical indication, the guaranteed traditional specialty, the labels and guaranty seals, as an essential action to conquest and expansion of export markets, supporting handicraft companies in introducing quality management systems and in their certification.
GaCS / VPGRA / FA