On our buying trips to Europe for PoggiBonsiGifts.com we are very privileged to take time to experience the local flavor. Last year, while exploring French pottery studios in Provence, we stayed one memorable night in Chateauneuf du Pape. We were envisioning that our gourmet group at home was green with envy especially our two delightful wine experts Tracy Codd and Scott (Herr) Schumacher. Here’s to Tracy and Scott!
By traveling to Deruta, Italy and meeting with the craftsmen in person we are able to design exclusive Italian ceramic patterns. Such is the case with our Azzurro Collection–the vibrant turquoise that highlights this design is not a tradtional color used in Italian pottery.
Named for the Renaissance painter Raphael, Raffaellesco is one of the most popular and enduring Italian ceramic designs. The central motif of the Raffaellesco pattern is a stylized sea dragon which was copied from the “grotesque” frescos in the Vatican Palace by Raphael.
Our Toscana Italian Ceramic Collection is among our most popular and features the lush fruits and vivid colors of the region. The lemon (limone), grape (uva) motifs are extremely popular in Italian ceramics from all regions and especially in Tuscany.
This Italian ceramic collection is exclusive to Poggi Bonsi and one of our most popular. We’ve added a black background to lush Italian fruit giving a modern feel to a classic theme. The colors of the fruit are rich with vivid contrast and the design is suited to both traditional and modern decor.
FIMA of Deruta Italy is a small family run studio which has practiced the art of Italian Majolica for more than 40 years. FIMA ceramics are known throughout the world for their quality and unique designs.
Majolica is a decorated tin glazed earthenware, low fired and decorated over an opaque tin oxide glaze. The firing temperatures allow for the brilliance of colors.
One of the many perks of our job as importers is the opportunity to meet people from other countries and cultures. Every time we’re in Italy we must go through the region of Umbria to the all-important ceramic town of Deruta, near Perugia–the sister city of Seattle, and each time the story reads differently.
After the Moors were thrown out of Spain, Majolica potters set up small factories in Italy near the mineral rich river in the towns such as Deruta, Gubbio, and Faenza where the finest clay deposits and minerals for the glazes were found. In the 16th century luster glazes similar to those used in Valencia and Talavera, Spain were developed in Umbria.