Ceramic Italy: exploring the finest ceramics from Italy

Every part of Italy has its own specialist ceramic craft. These crafts date back centuries and have produced some of the finest ceramics and glass creations in the world. 

The legacy of Italian ceramics

The origins of ceramic Italy can be traced to Roman times. The Romans were known to produce impressive pieces of pottery and terracotta art. As time has passed, each region of Italy has refined this ancient knowledge. Every area has incorporated the use of regional products and allowed the pieces to be shaped by contact with different cultures. It’s created a unique and lasting collection of ceramic Italy. One that is still relevant today. Of course, Italians are well-known for their love of craftsmanship. It’s not surprising that there are so many stunning pieces created across the country.

 The ability to adapt to different cultures has allowed Italian artisans to create impressive diversity across their ceramic styles.

 It wasn’t all for show. Ceramics have created containers with many uses. For example, ceramic is the best container for oil as it can effectively protect the contents from heat, light, and even oxygen.

The most famous ceramic regions in Italy

 Virtually every part of Italy has impressive ceramics. However, some regions are more famous than others. Here are some of the best ceramics from Italy.

Deruta

This is considered to be the Umbrian master of Majolica. Even today, these pieces are hand-painted. These ceramics from Italy are some of the most colourful glazed ceramic pieces in the country. The majority of these pieces also have intricate designs.

 Majolica was also produced in Faenza.

Vietri sul Mare

This type of ceramic Italy, originates on the Amalfi coast. It uses bold yellows, blues, and greens; the artwork tends to focus on images of the street. Modern artists, like Elisabetta D’Arienzo, still use traditional methods to ensure this skill continues.

Caltagirone

This area of Sicily is renowned for creating baroque palettes and Moorish heads out of clay. The sculptures are simple yet elegant and rarely painted. Modern pieces focus on retelling Sicily’s story.

Montelupo Fiorentino

These stunning ceramic designs come from Tuscany. The pieces usually had a tricoloured checkered centre and various bold coloured ovals on the edges. In the past, this was an exceptionally popular type of ceramic. That’s why pieces of this pottery have turned across the Mediterranean and even up the Atlantic coast of Europe.

That’s just a few of the iconic Italian ceramic regions. There are plenty more to explore.

The art of making ceramics from Italy

Traditional Italian ceramics, such as the iconic lemon ceramic collection, are still made by hand today. This maintains authenticity. Italian ceramics have always been made with clay. Every piece is carefully shaped by hand and then fired in a kiln. The time it takes to create one piece varies depending on how complex it is. The more complex, the longer it takes to dry.

After the ceramics are created, they’ll need to be painted. This is a time-consuming process which maintains authenticity and adds to their beauty.

Caring for your Italian ceramics

If you’ve chosen to invest in Italian ceramics, you’ll want to know how best to look after your investment. Firstly, Italian ceramics are not designed to be put in a dishwasher, it will damage the finish. Instead, they should be washed by hand with a natural soap.

You also need to pay careful attention to where they are stored. Italian ceramics need a little space and shouldn’t be stored too high. This reduces the likelihood of them being accidentally damaged. You can use them or simply enjoy them. In both cases, classic Italian ceramics will add an extra sparkle to your home or an event.