The types of pottery made are as diverse as the many regions of Italy. Towns like Deruta and Campania are known for their pots, jars and bowls as well as their intense ceramic art. In Rome, as the country’s most famous city, pedestals and columns abound as do table bases and platters that evoke memories of the Empire at its most powerful and wealthy.

While Italy is as famous as Greece for its architecture, its pottery often is more ornate, intricate and complex. The process of sustaining a thriving pottery industry has been no small feat. Throughout its history of political and economic turmoil, invasions and occupations, Italy’s pottery and pottery artisans have remained mainstays.

In American colonial times, wealthy merchants secured a combination of Spanish pottery and Italian pottery as status symbols. One restaurant in Philadelphia still has colonial era pottery on display as a relic of the past and a window into what the upstart early Americans considered enduring indicators of wealth. Much of the pottery they have on display is Italian, early French and Spanish.

The Italian pottery industry is one of the oldest and most lustrous industries in Italy. Beginning with multiple firings in the middle Ages that allows the intricate layers of colors and finishes through the present day where the industry employs around 8.000 people. Italian pottery is so popular that it has found its way into mansions and palaces and has been imitated in just about every department store worldwide.

There is not a collection of major manufacturing companies that make Italian Pottery, but rather a dense network of artisans located throughout the country that usually specialize in their own designs and even unique production processes. Pottery items found in the United States can be imported from major cities like Roma or small villages that dot the Italian countryside. While each piece is not usually hand crafted anymore, every piece does receive individual attention and reflects each artisan’s unique blend of talent and artistic flair.

Tuscany is one of twenty regions of Italy and is easily one of the most famous. The capital of Tuscany is Florence and many people consider Tuscany the most beautiful region in Italy because of its geography, landscape and artistic history. It is located in central Italy and the geography is hilly, mountainous and almost ten percent of the region is considered “plains-lands.” Tuscany is divided into ten provinces.

History and Culture

The history of the region is both rich and ancient. The first culture to settle in the region was the Etruscans who were prehistoric and were known for their agricultural, mining and infrastructure as well as their artwork. The territory was ceded to the Romans in the first century, BC and was frequently routed by the armies of Greece, Carthage and Gaul. All of these influences held great sway in forming Tuscan culture and in influencing much of the artwork and architecture that later made the region famous. Ultimately, the Roman civilization collapsed in the fifth century AD and the region was occupied for a short time by the Goths and ultimately by the Longobards, a Germanic people from northern Europe who entered the Roman empire late in its history.

Understanding the different ancient cultures that called the region home is critical to understanding its present day reputation as the culture and beauty epicenter in modern Italy. Each ancient culture played a role in shaping their approaches to art and architectures as well as added to its rich culinary and cultural traditions. It was not, however, until the Medieval period that the Tuscany region ironically began to flourish in both trade and art, fueled in large part by a “pilgrim” industry of peoples traveling through the region from France and Rome. During this time, relying on trade, Florence became the cultural center of the region.

This set the stage for Tuscany to serve as the birthplace of the Renaissance. During this period, architecture, painting and sculpture flourished as did the building of museums to house these treasures. Many of those museums are still in existence today and are a must-see. The Uffizi and Bargello in Florence are two of many museums any traveler should see. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Dante Alighieri all were born in the Tuscany region.

Where to Visit

Tuscany is also known for its famous wines and wine country and has 120 nature reserves. It also is renowned for its production of olive oil. Culturally, Tuscany is still known for its “Cities of Art,” Florence, Lucca, Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano. Each of these cities has enough to keep a traveler busy for individual trips in and of themselves. The region also has many sea resorts that are worth visiting and a series of islands that are world famous for marble quarries.

As you plan your trip to Tuscany, make sure you use a professional travel service. By doing this you can ensure that your trip will be professionally managed and that your decisions as to where to visit, stay and eat will be stellar throughout your stay. Once there, you will likely find that your plans will never allow you to see all Tuscany has to offer in just one trip. You will, without question, fall in love with Tuscany and want to return time and time again. Tuscany is the ultimate in luxury travel!

There are many fine types of pottery that came from various regions across Europe. The most common and popular, even today, being earthenware and porcelain potteries. Each comes with a rich history and an evolution of the pottery making processes. Anyone who loves or collects pottery understands the different between authentic and mass produced; exceptional artistry as opposed to commercial grade decoration. The industry seems to have come full circle, and what started as a cottage industry of individual expert potters turned to a time of mass production, and has once again returned to its roots, thankfully for all collectors.

Earthenware
Most commonly known to us as Majolica, earthenware pottery is a derivative of Chinese porcelain, and first appeared in Italy in the latter part of the 14th Century. History says that Italian Majolica pottery was inspired by the decorated luster wares from Spain, and introduced to Italy by the Majorcan sea traders.

Majolica, whether it was wheel thrown or mold pressed, was always fired once to achieve the brown body and then dipped into a glaze which created a surface that was suitable for painting and decorating. Once the decoration was applied, the piece was fired a second time to ensure the brilliant colors were permanently preserved. The application of metallic luster finishes was only done by very skilled artisans, since the colors required very special care.

Continental Porcelain
European potters who had long admired the porcelains being created in the Far East, tried diligently to imitate it but never really got it down pat. Then in 1709, potter Johann Bottger discovered how to make porcelain. The first European royal porcelain manufactory was consequently established at Meissen near Dresden, Germany. Throughout the century following the discovery of the porcelain formula, many new porcelain making factories popped up all over Europe including Germany, Austria, Italy, France, and England, all producing porcelain wares in the style of Meissen.

By the end of the 19th century, machinery and technology invaded the pottery making industries and the result was mass production; often resulting in substandard quality and design. It was not until the late 1930’s, that artists and master painters began to return to the work and the quality markedly improved. Many of these new age potters found inspiration through the advent of new materials and techniques, while others followed the lead of primitive forms of pottery such as Japanese and American Indian models.

Luckily, since the conclusion of World War 2, the design and decoration of pottery in Europe has been largely influenced once again by artisans. Commercial and consumer ware, such as table pottery that you see today truly reflects the styles and patterns developed by these 20th century innovative potters, whose work has often shown striking originality.