Majolica is a tin-glazed “earthenware”, fired at low temperature and decorated over an opaque tin-oxide glaze. Firing ceramics at low temperature allows for brilliance of color but adds to its fragility. Majolica is made throughout the Mediterranean basin.

 The very earliest examples of tin-glazed and decorated ceramics dates back to 9th century Baghdad. By the 11th century this art form was flourishing and Islamic ceramists were producing richly decorated pieces of "lusterware" used to adorn many civic and religious buildings.

 As traders traveled, so did the ceramics. In the early 13th century the island of Majorca was one of the major ports used by trading vessels traveling between Spain and Italy. Regardless of it’s place of origin, the tin-glazed ceramics being imported into Italy, through Majorca, came to be known as “Maiolica” (Majolica in English.)

 The first Majolica to arrive in Italy was “hispano-moresque” lusterware. Further developments matured in Italy during the Renaissance. At the same time the popularity of Chinese porcelain exports allowed for the development of “Faience” - the French term for pottery exported from Faenza Italy.

 During the late 15th and early 16th century, Majolica’s importance in Italy increased as the wealth of the nobility and the merchant classes grew. Their patronage was critical to the pursuit of excellence in the arts. This was a fertile artistic time throughout central Italy.

 Most of the major ceramic centers in Italy are located along the riverbanks of the Tiber in Umbria and the Arno in Tuscany, where natural clay deposits exist. This clay makes the products hand-crafted by the artisians of this region of finer quality than those located elsewhere in Italy.

 SABBIA TALENTI’s primary focus is on identifying quality ceramists located in Umbria and Tuscany. We look only for Vendor Groups capable of delivering the very finest ceramic products to our customers. At the same time we remain sensitive to the fact that each ceramic region has its own unique style, history and customer following. Personal preferences are addressed through the special order process. Our ability to deliver on our promises separates us from our competition.

 Deruta is located 15 kilometers south of the important Ghibelline city-state of Perugia. Deruta became a principal ceramic center during the Renaissance when Majolica was considered as important as painting and sculpture. Deruta was renown for its “Bella Donna” plates, a favorite commission of the Italian nobility, as well the “Vecchia Deruta” and “Raffaellesco” designs. Today Deruta is considered the finest school of majolica in Italy.

 Gubbio and Gualdo Tadino are ceramic centers renown for the third firing techniques of “Luster” and “Rubino.” Since their inception these techniques have been highly prized and closely guarded. At the end of the day the techniques used were achieved by fueling the kiln with wet willow reeds which caused smoke to build up in chamber. This “oxygen-reduction” firing caused glazes to simulate gold (“Luster”) and rubies (“Rubino”.)

 Contrary to public opinion, Orvieto and Siena enjoy no ceramic tradition. Most of the ceramics found in these towns are produced in Deruta and Montelupo Fiorentino.

Montelupo Fiorentino is an important ceramic center located on the Arno, east of Florence. This region has enjoyed prosperity through post-war exports and buyer influence. The Vendor Groups are excellent at adapting ideas to market tastes and are fluent in the historic motifs of Majolica. It is obvious that the premier workshops have studied the important collections for inspiration which has been incorporated into their production with flair and elegance.

 Faenza was a city-state and today houses one of the world’s most comprehensive ceramic museums. This was the family seat of the powerful Della Rovere Family. One of the signature design motifs of this region is an acorn pattern based on the family’s crest. This is also the region that produced the Garafano (“Carnation”) pattern. This pattern took its influence directly from Chinese porcelain designs ideftified by Count Fermiani on his travels to the Orient.