Choosing a dinnerware set is no easy matter. Hundreds of different brands, designs, materials to choose from… and such a large amount of money involved in the purchase that a mistake would be much regretted.

Well, I cannot help you to make your choice. However, if you decide to stand out from the crowd and go for something really different and unique such as handmade Italian dinnerware, you’ll find some good pieces of information here.

What is Italian Dinnerware usually made of?
Italian dinnerware sets are usually made of ceramic, a word derived from the Greek word keramos, meaning “clay”. Commonly used, ceramic is a most general term, which can be applied both to porcelain and to pottery.
Continue reading ‘A quick guide to handmade Italian Dinnerware’

That is really a hard question to answer. We – I’m Italian you know! – have so many regional designs, deservedly popular thanks to their beauty and their century-old heritage.

However, I wish to try and answer this question, without claiming that this is an exhaustive list of all the best Italian Dinnerware patterns, of course. It’s just a list to help you out in the wide choice you might be confronted with.

1 - Classic Dinnerware patterns
I wish to mention here three designs, Raffaellesco, Ricco Deruta and Arabesco. They all originated in Deruta between the 15th and the 17th century. Their classic beauty makes them all time dinnerware sets, whose exquisite elegance and subtle refinement are never commonplace. Here is a short description.
Continue reading ‘What are the most popular Italian Dinnerware patterns?’

Before you close the deal of your life and pay an incredibly low price for what looks like a stunning piece of Deruta pottery, STOP and read these simple guidelines.

Stores are full of rubbish, believe me.
Lots of nice looking ceramic pieces which are machine stamped and sold as original hand made Italian Ceramics. Possibly from reputable regions, like Deruta.

Spotting a fake is possible and quite easy. Follow these simple steps.

Continue reading ‘Hand Made Italian Ceramics: how to spot a fake’

You have just purchased a nice set of Italian ceramic dinner plates and made an extra effort to buy a pasta bowl and a serving platter.

Your first thought when you see them nicely displayed on your table is “Oh my Gosh! Aren’t they gorgeous?

Your second thought is “How can I make this treasurable dinnerware set last forever? Well, at least as long as I’m here to admire it”.

Don’t worry.

A little extra care is all you need to keep enjoying your beautiful Italian ceramic dinnerware for a lifetime hopefully yours and your children’s and your grandchildren’s.

Continue reading ‘Simple ways to make Italian ceramics last forever’