Ceramics

Typical products > Handicrafts

Tuscany vaunts an ancient tradition in ceramics, in particular in the area of Montelupo Fiorentino near Florence, dated back to the X century.
The raw material to produce ceramics - as for the earthenware - is the clay. Tuscany is rich in this material in the area of Valdelsa, encouraging, since the Middle Ages, the growth of an important centre for the ceramics.

It that time, artisans, felt the need to give to the raw clay a white coating to increase in value the object with painted decorations, consequently was developed and improved the cooking and glazing's technique.

The objects, usually for domestic use, like plates, vases and bowls were hand decorated with a brush designing floral or faunal themes, and coat of arms of the aristocratic families that had characterized the history of the Tuscan towns.

In Montaione, the ancient tradition of hand decorated ceramics is still possible to admire in a workshop in the historical centre, where in addiction to a huge selections and exposition of objects, is possible to follow the different steps of the painting and decoration of the objects.

Another good reason to spend an holiday in Tuscany in Montaione!