Like all those old flatirons with the roosters on top. They were only seven dollars in the Alfama, and we saw them here for one hundred dollars. Americans snap up the traditional brilliant hand-painted pottery made in Portugal by village family producers. Some of the designs are reminiscent of old French Quimper pottery, but most are brighter and fired on a red clay base. The pottery costs about the same at the market as in the small towns where it's made.
Older pieces show up in the stalls of the antiques dealers.
Locals and tourists alike also buy handsome white lace in sturdy traditional Portuguese patterns. Some of the lace is old, and some contemporary, made by a local lace maker who sits out in the sun during market and crochets very fast. Prices are relatively low in Portugal and throughout the market. Bargaining is expected, but the Portuguese are very polite about it. They are an extremely courteous, friendly people, and many went out of their way to help us when we tried our pitifully few words of Portuguese.