Montepulciano and Senor Mazzetti

Today was our day to pick up our rental car in Chiusi. We were delighted to see our Fiat mini-SUV in front of the Hertz office. Eric is the designated driver, since my standard shift skills are pretty rusty. We drove the 15 minute trip back to our hotel in Chianciano. Our afternoon plan was to have lunch in town and then go out in the country side for a photo shoot. We decided to head in the direction of Montepulciano, a medieval walled town known for its wine. We parked below the town and started up the steep steps to the top level of the city wall in a zig zag manner. We came to a stop in one of the passageways where an elderly gentleman was busy in his workshop where copper pots are made. Eric asked him if we could photograph him and Senor Mazzetti invited us into his studio and later his private museum. This third generation skilled craftsman makes copper ware for famous and not so famous admirers. He had just completed a copper fish steamer for an American multi-millionaire. Senor Mazzetti has also made a chalice for the Pope and two lanterns for the Prince of Monaco. He also showed us a copper Donald Duck plaque for one of his grand children. We spent more than a half hour with this artisan whose pride in his work showed in his face as he spoke only in Italian about each piece he had crafted. We do not speak Italian, but we understood every word he said.