Origin

Majolica or Maiolica as it is known in Italian is the quintessential expression of the Renaissance potter's art.
In the 10th Century the Calif of Persia received a gift of over 2000 pieces of porcelain from the Emperor of China. Persian craftsmen were amazed at the white and blue glazes and they were able to invent their own techniques to duplicate the effect. At that time, only China and Persia were able to create porcelain. Porcelain objects were highly appreciated for their qualities like impermeability and hard finish, but the necessary ingredient, kaolin, was a kept secret. The potters of Baghdad exported their wares all across Northern Africa and many Islamic potters migrated to Morocco and eventually Moorish Spain, bringing with them their secret methods and formulae. Merchants based on the island Majorca shipped so much of this pottery from Spain to Italy that it became forever associated with the island. After the Moors were thrown out of Spain, majolica potters set up small factories in Italy near the mineral rich banks of the river Metauro in the towns of Deruta, Gubbio, and Faenza where the finest clay deposits and minerals for the glazes were to be found in abundance.

The Making of Majolica

There are three methods of working the clay depending on the shape of object to be produced. If the object is cylindrical it is hand thrown on the wheel. All other forms are created using plaster-cast moulds into which the clay is manually pressed. Complicated shapes (for example a twisted candlestick) are produced using the "casting" method, where, liquid clay is poured into a plaster-cast mould.

After the creation, objects are left to dry for approximately one week. Then, special metal tools are used to add finishing touches, clean off edges and attach handles and spouts. After about 20 days the object has completely dried and is ready to be fired for the first time. The result of this first fire is called bisque.

There are three stages in the painting process. The first phase is the application of the design onto the plate using a pounce technique. First the design is transferred onto a transparent paper. Then, using a fine needle the drawing is pierced to create a stencil. The stencil is then placed on the fresh immersed object and, using the pounce, the design is transferred onto the object leaving a fine carbon outline. This carbon dust burns off during the second firing.

In the second stage, the artisans use a very fine paint brush and carefully follow the outline of the design. And, in phase three, various sized brushes are used to paint either on the inside or outside of the lines.

Once the objects are painted and coated, they are fired for a second time. The colored glazes used [by the painter] appear to be dull shades until they are fired and a chemical reaction brings out the brilliant colors. It took years of observation and practice to master working with glazes.

Caring for your Majolica

Because each piece of ceramic art is individually handcrafted, the sizes, shapes and colors may vary slightly.
Majolica must be handled with care and should not be used in the oven or microwave.