|
 |
|
The
making of Artistica's Majolica
All our original Majolica products
are hand-made and hand painted by master artisans
from the cities of Deruta and Florence in the Italian regions of Umbria
and Tuscany,
for centuries known as
"Lands of Saints and Poets".
Our products results from a splendid heritage of dedication and artistic
tradition,
passed down
"from father to son" by ancient artisan families.
The creation of Majolica is a
complex event, involving skillful master artisans who understand the
content of the quality raw materials used in their work.
From small,
simply decorated dishes to large "Orcio" urns in the 16th
Century style, every successful
piece is the product of a
"Five-Step" process.
|
|
|
Step One |
|
 |
"IL
TORNIANTE" (The Potter):
In a process used for
centuries, the art of Majolica begins with a plain lump of refined
clay that is slowly brought to life by "Il Torniante".
Masterfully hand-shaping the raw chunk of clay on a wheel, the
potter transforms it into a vessel, a plate or a large urn. The
molded clay piece is referred to as "In Terra" (Green
ware) and is placed in the open air for natural drying. It dries to
a grayish color, and is ready for its first firing in the kiln. |
|
|
Step Two |
|
|
 |
"LA PRIMA
COTTURA" (The First Firing):
The naturally dried piece is
then loaded into the kiln to be processed at the "Prima
Cottura". The clay item that emerges from the kiln after this
first 950-degree firing is referred to as "Biscotto"
(Bisque), a baked terracotta piece featuring the typical red color. |
|
|
Step Three |
|
 |
"LA SMALTATURA" (The Glazing):
Once cooled, the Bisque is
dipped into the "Smalto", a fast drying chalky liquid
glaze. This step, while simply described, represents an important part
of the entire process because the next firing will melt the glaze with
the colors, determining color tones, glazing texture, and uniform
quality of the piece. The chemical composition of the "Smalto"
is complex and every factory has it's own formula that is kept very
secret! The Bisque, now wholly covered by the white powdery glaze, is
ready for painting. |
|
|
Step Four |
|
 |
"LA
PITTURA" (The Painting):
The painstaking process of
painting the Bisque is the essence of Majolica. The Painter, "Il
Pittore", may paint a decoration freehand, or use a type of
pounce, "Spolvero", to stencil sketches of the design. This
fine powder prevents the colors from spreading and blurring into each
other. The painter must fully understand the complexities of
coloration, as the raw glazes used for painting all have a very
similar Gray/Black tone. The true and brilliant colors will be
produced only after the finished product emerges from the final kiln
firing. |
|
|
Step Five |
|
 |
"LA
SECONDA COTTURA" (The Second Firing):
In this final step, the painted
item is loaded again onto the kiln for a second firing at about
920-degrees.
This delicate process requires great care to avoid
scratching or touching any item to be fired.
Since the painting was
done over the "chalky" Smalto surface, it can
literally be wiped out by a simple touch of a thumb! The final firing
may take up to 24 hours. Depending on the size of the item(s), the
ceramics may require up to 12 hours of firing at a constant high
temperature. It is very important that the "cool-off" period
be a "natural" cooling. The kiln's safe-type door must not
be opened until the temperature is low enough to avoid "thermal
shock", which would literally destroy (crack) the entire kiln
load. |
|
 |
The finished product
emerges from this final firing, its brilliant colors safely
|protected by a
robust and uniform glaze.
It is a Majolica piece!
A prestigious name earned with this centuries-old process! |
|
|
Click
here to learn more about Majolica's History
|
|
|
|
|
|
