The Alentejo bicado, tea tray and coasters: hand painted pieces for serving at the table

By Sérgio Carvalho, co-founder of Ra-Ro · View profile

About a 5 minute read

The Alentejo bicado is a metal vessel shaped like a jug, with a spout and a handle, used in Alentejo homes to store, carry and serve liquids such as water and wine. It is a piece of tinware, and today some artisans paint it with the flowers and sprigs of Alentejo painted furniture. Together with a tea tray and coasters painted by hand, it makes a small set for an afternoon table with Alentejo roots.

Painted serving pieces in short

• Bicado: a metal jug with a spout and handle, used for water and wine.
• Tinsmithing: the craft of cutting, folding and soldering tinplate and other thin sheet metal into household objects.
• Tea tray: one of the pieces that, in the Alentejo, received the same flower painting as chairs and chests.
• Coasters: the same decoration on an everyday object.
• At Ra-Ro: the Bicado (€15.30), the Coaster Box (€27.00) and the Tea Tray (€30.70), painted by Zézinha from Redondo.

What a bicado is

The name says almost everything: in Portuguese, bico means spout. It has a wide body to hold liquid, a handle to hold it by and a narrow spout to pour without spilling. It belonged to the Alentejo tradition of useful objects and was part of daily life at home: it kept the water, brought the wine to the table and served whoever was seated. It is a simple object, designed for a job, that today also tells us how people lived in other times.

What tinsmithing is

Tinsmithing is the tinsmith's craft: cutting, folding and soldering tinplate, galvanised sheet and other thin metals until they become household objects. Watering cans, jugs, oil lamps, basins and buckets came out of these workshops for generations. With plastic and industrial production, the craft almost disappeared, and few tinsmiths are still working in Portugal today. A hand painted piece of tinware therefore brings together two skills that have become rare.

The bicado painted by Zézinha

Ra-Ro's Bicado is made of metal and was painted by Zézinha on a white background, with flowers and sprigs that recall the motifs of Alentejo painted furniture. It costs €15.30. Zézinha has devoted herself to this painting for four decades, learned it from her master and still works in Redondo. Given its price and size, it is a good way to start living with painted pieces, or to send a piece of the Alentejo to someone far away.

The hand painted tea tray

In the Alentejo tradition, tea trays were among the pieces that received hand painted flowers and patterns, just like chests, beds and chests of drawers. Zézinha's Tea Tray (€30.70) breaks the rule in one way: the background is black, where blue, white, green, red or yellow would be usual. On black, the flowers stand out even more. It carries the teapot and cups, and it also looks good propped up on a shelf or sideboard as a decorative piece between uses.

Flowered coasters

The Coaster Box (€27.00) holds six matching coasters with a blue background and hand painted floral decoration, kept in a box. They are the most practical way to use this painting every day: they protect the table, add colour to afternoon coffee and are stored together when not in use.

Lanche and merenda: the afternoon break

In many Portuguese homes, people stop mid afternoon for something to eat: the lanche, or merenda, as it is still called in many places. At an Alentejo table, bread, cheese and olives are rarely missing. Nothing special is needed. A tablecloth, a few beautiful pieces and time to sit with the people you love are enough.

How to set an afternoon table with painted pieces

1. Start with the tray: place it in the centre for the teapot, the cups or a board with bread and cheese.
2. Hand out the coasters: one per person, next to the plate.
3. Give the bicado pride of place: with a sprig of dried flowers, olive or rosemary it becomes a vase and adds height to the table.
4. Choose a plain cloth: white or natural linen lets the colours of the flowers stand out.
5. Do not add too many patterns: with three painted pieces, keep the rest of the tableware simple.

How to care for painted pieces and painted metal

• No dishwasher: do not wash these pieces in the dishwasher.
• No heat: the bicado does not go on the hob or in the oven.
• Gentle cleaning: a soft cloth, dry or slightly damp, is enough for dust and small marks.
• Dry straight away: standing water can mark metal; dry well after cleaning.
• No abrasives: scourers and harsh detergents damage the paint.
• Spills: wipe them off the tray and coasters as soon as you can so they do not stain.

If you are thinking of using the bicado for drinks, ask us first through our contact page.

Where to buy and more ideas

All three pieces are at Ra-Ro: the Bicado (€15.30), the Coaster Box (€27.00) and the Tea Tray (€30.70). Together they cost €73.00. For more table ideas, see how to set a Portuguese Christmas Eve table. And if your trip takes you to the Alentejo, bring our guide to what to see and what to bring back.

Frequently asked questions

What is an Alentejo bicado?

It is a tinware vessel shaped like a jug, with a spout and handle, that belonged to the tradition of useful objects in Alentejo homes.

What was the bicado used for?

It was used to store, carry and serve liquids, such as water and wine.

What is tinsmithing?

It is the craft of cutting, folding and soldering tinplate and other thin sheet metal into household objects such as watering cans, jugs and oil lamps.

Can a hand painted tray go in the dishwasher?

No. Clean it with a soft cloth, dry or slightly damp, and without harsh detergents so the paint is not damaged.

How can I use a painted tea tray as decoration?

Between uses it can stand on a shelf or sideboard like a picture, or sit in the centre of the table with the teapot and cups.

Where can I buy a hand painted Alentejo bicado?

At Ra-Ro, with the Bicado painted by the artisan Zézinha from Redondo, for €15.30.