How To Pick The Best Italian Pottery For Your Needs

By Lisa Schmidt


If you have ever seen brightly glazed pottery covered in gorgeous patterns you know how beautiful ceramic pieces can be. Chances are, if the colors were bright and featured images such as animals, fruit or flowers there is a strong possibility it was Italian pottery. It has a distinctive color scheme and decorating style that is both recognizable and appealing and it is no wonder that so many people choose to have these items in their homes.

Collecting and displaying ceramic pieces is nothing new. Every culture that makes these items has turned them into art pieces that are functional as well as beautiful. Pottery is made by shaping clay into different things such as plates, cups and serving pieces. Colored glazes are applied to create patterns and heat is used to harden the surface. This protects against damage and keeps the colors looking beautiful even after it is exposed to liquids.

Many cultures create pottery and styles can be distinctive enough that knowledgeable individuals can tell where a piece was made just by looking at it. Certain patterns, color schemes or firing techniques may only be used in certain geographic areas.

Keep in mind that many Italian pieces are very vibrant. If you want a piece to really stick out you may want to group an Italian piece with items that are monochromatic. A beautiful yellow Italian pitcher may look stunning when displayed with a number of plain white or blue pieces. Your Italian element is sure to take center stage and items are much less likely to clash.

Some collectors choose to feature a specific region or village in their collections. A collection of Tuscan pieces may look very different than one that features only pottery items that were made in Umbria or Abruzzo. If you are considering starting your collection in this way it may be worthwhile to read up a bit on each area and look at pictures of the items created there so that you know which appeal to you most.

While yellow is a common color used in many of these pieces it is not the only color that is used for decoration. If you want to make sure that your collection will fit well in an existing decorating scheme you may want to look for pieces that contain that color.

Authenticity is important if you are collecting in order to make money. Buying pieces from Italy that are striking and unusual may make it difficult to display them but it can really add to the visual appeal of your collection. If you can't get on a plane and buy from Italian craftsmen directly you may need to turn to the internet in order to find items to choose from.

Some people simply want to look at their collections and this will certainly help ensure that it stays undamaged for an extended period of time. It can, however, take some of the joy and enjoyment out of the collecting process. Just be sure to read and follow any care instructions that come with your pieces.




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