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.
1 – Turn the Italian ceramic piece you’re interested in upside down and make sure there is an unglazed area.
This area, usually a circle, shows the natural brownish orange color of the terracotta (bisque). The bisque is sometimes made of white grayish clay, often used for small pieces, but it’s still clearly visible.
Now you’ll be wondering why this detail is so important.
Let me remind you how the humble terracotta changes into a priceless Italian ceramic. Before the actual hand painting the artisan dips the terracotta deeply into a sieve containing fast drying liquid glaze. This fine powder will prevent the colours
from spreading and blurring into each other during the painting and will bond with the subsequent coloured glazes during the final firing.
The glaze however gets quite sticky during the firing. That is why the clever artist makes sure that his or her fine Italian ceramic pieces are not in touch during the firing and carefully removes the glaze from their base.
The damage would be otherwise irreversible.
2 – Touch the unglazed area. It must be rough.
If it is white and smooth then its not an original Italian ceramic, made with traditional materials and techniques.
Sometimes it is still possible to detect the marks of the long pincer the artisans use to glaze their pottery: it’s two tiny dots usually positioned near the rim of the pieces.
3 – Brush strokes must be visible.
Italian ceramics are always
hand painted and if you look at them closely you will be able to see the single stokes that contribute to the beauty and artistry of your piece.
You will never forget the emotion of a close look to a Renaissance portrait and will find it hard to believe that those colourful, lively characters are painted with no more than 4 or 5 colors.
Now you own the key tools to spot a fake.
If you are passionate about Italian ceramics, though, I have a suggestion for you which goes beyond technicalities.
My suggestion is: look at as many Italian ceramics as possible.
Browse Internet, read books, visit museums, go to exhibitions, visit the stores of your city and touch them. Your senses will grow accustomed to their patterns, their shapes, their look and feel. And in a few years your expertise will match your passion.
In the meantime if you wish to start your own collection of fine Italian ceramics, buy from a reputable dealer. Someone who is willing to tell you more about the piece than just its price, who is happy to spend some time to educate you, who knows the name of the artist and offers a clear return policy.
That is what we try to do at http://www.thatsarte.com, the web site I set up together with my best friend Manuela, also a lover of quality pottery.
About one year ago Manuela and I decided to step change our professional lives and turn our passion into a real work.
We spent quite a lot of time traveling around the best known Italian ceramic centers to choose the pieces of Dinnerware, Tableware and Decoration accents we most liked.
Tough life, you must think.
We collected more than 4,000 beautiful Italian ceramic pieces hand made by the most talented artists in Italy. Have a look at it. You’ll also find information on Italian ceramics history, tradition and making and a lot more. You will enjoy every minute of it. Click now http://www.thatsarte.com
I have a plate marked CITAVECCHIA TC1876. Any ideas as to where this might orignate from? Many thanks. S
We’d be happy to have a look at your Italian ceramic plate to find out more about that. Can you send us a picture of the plate (front and back)?
As the author of the only books written in English on the subject of Italian pottery marks and identification I offer my heartfelt gratitude for a magnificent effort in helping to promote an interest in, and appreciation of, Italian ceramics and its rich history. Your website is rich in practical, useful information that is easy to navigate through and totally enjoyable to read. It has always been my hope that English-speaking collectors would one day have the information they needed to educate themselves about an arena largely unknown to them largely because of the lack of written material in their language. Your website will go a long way in promoting the appreciation of the art.
If I may be of assistance to anyone seeking help in learning about a particular piece in their collection I do, in addition to my books. maintain a totally free forum that anyone can visit, ask questions or add comments.
http://xsorbit31.com/users5/italianpotterymarks1/
I wish you both the greatest of success.
I wonder if you can tell me what manufactureres made the Italian terracotta figurines of the 1960′s which were covered in a white glaze. They are usually very well modeled. There is one for sale on the Trocadero website I found by googling “Italian terra cotta figure” listed at $1,200.00 (32″) but they do not name a manufacturer.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
HELLO THERE
how can I find out if my little jug is of any age and especially if it is a cantigalli . I have attached some pics..
http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u332/gwengeiser/DSCN3487.jpg
http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u332/gwengeiser/DSCN3489.jpg
http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u332/gwengeiser/DSCN3490.jpg
i will try the forum page recommended above as well. thanks gwen
I just found a vase in the classic Ricco style, but with swan handles. The bottom is labeled: Mari.e.c – Deruta Italy – 0902 or 0702. I’d love to send photo’s and get your opinion.
Thanks
hello! i just found a very elegant double vase with the marks M.S.P. surrounding a triangle and the words, HAND PAINTED IN ITALY. i read your advice on testing to see if this is a true piece of italian pottery and it passed the test. but now i am dying to know what M.S.P. and the triangle mean. can you help?
thanks!
with God’s amazing love,
carol
I have a set of I think 8 of these salad plates and one large dinner plate. It is stamped NOVE on the back MADE IN ITALY is stamped and 355 as well. What can you tell me bout the plates? I was given them from a friend who was going to toss them in the trash.
Hi, I have just bought a large leopard, about 20″ long. The name on a paw seems to be Favaro Cecchelle, but I am guessing the last letter. There is also what looks like a long flower over the name. Any ideas? He is not new, the lady was left him by an uncle, but I have no idea of the age.
I have a dish that on the back says ITALY 94-20FF. Do you have any idea what this might be? It is a glazed ceramic piece that looks to be a candy dish. I believe my aunt got it when she went to Italy.
I need some help here. I inherited this from a dear friend whose family was from the East coast. This plate came from the estate of William Wooten (Wootin) who was a caretaker/groundskeeper of Franklin D. Rosevelt. Acquired in the 1930′s. I do believe it is an authentic Cantagalli plate and would like more information on it if available. Can you tell me the approximate age and any history that you might know as to the subject. It is very beautiful. What would be insurance/appraisal value on this plate? If you would be so kind to take a look at it and tell me what you think. I set this up for viewing at wwwamericana.com
We have a few pieces that were handed down from our grandparents that we are wondering what they are worth/value. Could we send you pics to see if you are able to help? From your discription, we do think they are true antique pieces. Thanks so much!
I have a footed bowl that is hand painted with 6 babies on the side and what lloks like Ram head baby face handles. it is marked on the bottom in hand written text “30 / 31 Italy”
I would attache pics, but I dont know how on this blog.
If anyone thinks they may know what, when, and where this comes from, please let me know. I will send pics too.
Thanks
I forgot to tell you where I found this footed bowl. I was 13 years old in 1978 and I found it in a dump. I kept it and it’s been with me ever since. Sometimes in the garage, and now in a china cabinet.
Now I want to know where it comes from and how old it is.
Thanks again.
I have a vase given to me in 1960, and underneath in gold is “hand Painted” Iride Italiano
1511
I would like to know more about it. It is painted in Gold, green and black and terracotta stripes/
I have a Baroque style decorative wall plate I can’t tell if it was made in Italy or not. On the back is says, handwritten in a gold-like metalic “enpodimonte 1366/126 Italy”. There is also a mark, but I can’t seems to tell, from all my research, which house the mark is attributed to. It’s a lower case “e” with a sort of crown over it.
Hello,Ihave 3 pieces of porcelain purchased in Afghanistan(Kabul)2002 and wanted to know if there is anyone who has seen or heard of Royal lux with written under glaze>qualified hand painted Italian porcelain???
Clint
I have a pottery lamp shapped like a sea horse in green and orangy yellow with a lantern in pottery and the same colors that hangs below it. It is marked on the inside of the lantern M.D.L. italy 902 and the back of the sea horse on the inside cavity is marked in the white glaze italy 941. This piece is as neat a piece of italian art pottery as I have ever seen and I would like to know who made this and when. I would like to send a few pictures as well.
Hi Jason, can’t help you with info, only I have the same piece. It belonged to my grandparents, who were big travellers and bought it back from Italy. Don’t know when it dates back to but most of their collectables were from 30s through to 60s.
I found a little dish at a thrift store………..it looks like a candy dish and on the back its written…74D-169 Italy then two F’s on top of each other.
Is this a fake?Looks very old to me.
Thanks,
Allison
hi ladies, love your website! i have an old handmade piece of italian pottery that i’ve been researching and can find no information about. its white, yellow, gold, green and blue designs that look like feathers with a flower in the middle, a very rough rustic humble piece about 8″ high with long handles on either side, and kind of shaped like an elongated chocolate kissee candy. it could be a vase. i found it in a thrift store almost 20 years ago. the bottom is white with the rough terra cotta ring, and has “made in italy” written in black by hand, with a handmade design above that that looks like it could be a leaf. carved into the bottom above that are the numbers 994 or 466, depending on how you turn the vase. does this ring any bells for you? thank you and keep up the wonderful passion.
i would be happy to send a photo if you would like to see it. thanks.
Jody, Starting around 1965 and continuing into the late 1970;s, my family received as a corporate gift each Christmas, a hand painted, numbered Mancioli plate.
I have 14 of these and no two are the same. Do you have any idea of their value?>
Sincerely
Steve
PS I can send photos if needed.
I have a vase with painted roses, has a gold rim around the top.
On the bottom it has G.G.& Co Inc. Italy under the word Italy it has
a number 361 with a mark (-)under the 3. Is this a fake?
Hello there..
I came across this wash basin and Pitcher at a thrift store signed “Deruta”..seems pretty plain besides the vibrant colored Deruta pieces I see on line..but none the less elegant..curious if I found a good piece..maybe pay off my car!..or..go to Subway and get a 5 dollar footlong… thanks!
http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/uu133/twddave/IMG_2050.jpg
http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/uu133/twddave/IMG_2051.jpg
Found an Old vase- looks ceramic. Has Markings 42/13 Minico Italy.
Can send picture. What do markings mean?
I have a small hand crafted ceramic dish with “italy tz” written on the bottom (I suppose it could be “italy t2″, but it looks like “tz”). I would love to find out who the artist is and see more of his/her work. Does anybody have any ideas?
I have a plate that has on the back
c.f.s.(I think)
made in Italy
Hand Painted
c.c.c.
It has peaches on a stem in the middle and a red circle around the inside of plate then spoke like design cut out all around the plate and curve border like a pie on the outside
a very old lady said she got the plate in Italy in 1936
could this be worth anything
I have two candle stick holders –one blank on the bottom and the other with the M.SAMBUCO (and under that) DERUTA but the U looks like a V and the A looks like a H. They both have the raw pottery circle around the edge and the writing looks like it was done quickly—in capital letters-printed. The paint definitely looks hand painted. Any chance that it is real? I bought a spoon rest in a shop because it was beautiful,done in that style. When I arrived home , I realized that my 2nd hand candle holders were very similar but with the signature.I loved them for their style–could they be special in the value department as well???? thanks for your speedy reply,bonnie
I have a piece of Mancilo pottery. The bottom says u 34 /c. There is a crown on the bottom also with a large M in the middle. The pottery is a ceramic xams gift box. The color is red/gerrn.
Cleaning out my aunt’s house who resently passed away I found two vases that have ROBBIA GUALDO.T. ITALY on the bottom of them. Also, a large vase that has B.A.M.A Acquapendente 65 on the bottomw of that one. If I sent pictures would you be able to tell me if they are fake or not. Both my aunt and uncle immigrated to the US from Italy back in the early 1900′s. I would love to donate these items to the Salvation Army and surprise them with something worth some money for the good they bring to this country.
I have come to possess 3 pieces of pottery I believe to be of some value. Can you help me Identify and value these pieces. I have good pictures I can email.
Thanks Mark
I have a ceramic serving platter, it is shaped like a turkey and is hand painted. It is approx. 15″ x 12″. On the back are the markings, MN Italy 27/B. Any idea as to when this would have been produced or by whom? Let me know if you would like to see some photos of the piece.
Thanks Dave
While cleaning out my In-laws house after they passed away, I have found many fine pieces of Italian Pottery. However most of them are marked with only the word Ital and a number. Whithout an artist’s backstamp these will obviously be very hard to identify. Any advice on where to start as I am finding Italian Ceramics is a very broad field. Thanks
i have a dark green ceramic jug with a female figurine on the handle.
underneath it says marco , it also looks like it says serone and it has a picture of a jug also.
its been in our house for years and i wanted to find out what it was.
thanks
I recently picked up a character mug from an estate sale. It is tamped made in Italy with the crown and N and an additional signiture (which I cannot read – but I think the initial for the first name may be an “E” and the last name appears to have about 5-7 characters.) There is also a wreath and shield stamp enclosed in a circle. Not sure who the character is supposed to be.
Appears to be in excellent condition. No marks or cracks. No idea of the age or authenticity.
Am I able to send you a photo?
Thanks!
i have a green & tan pitcher with the marking 0219, italy, and a circle with p.v in the center on the bottom. can you provide any info on this or point me in a direction to look thanks
I have a black 215mm high vase with a gold figure with umbrella and various marine creatures/boat decorations in simplistic style. The markings on the base is mari deruta italy 0664. Do you think it is of any value. Thank you
Can someone help me identify these!…http://s1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa419/Marylane15/
i have a finger held figural dragon candle holder with the dragon holding on to a dish with his feet. marked italy, 630, and initials ISC written over the top of one another.the bottom is flat unglazed gray colored clay. height 8 1/2 inches. 7 1/4 inches width from finger hole, which is his tail to the front of the dish which is a shell. any info would be appreciated. thanks
I have a piece of ceramics I just purchases beautiful piecw with a 3 dimentional rose bud with 2 leaves on top as the handle it has a pink interior and cream white exterior the signature on the bottom of the piece is a simple MM but the M’s are one on top of the other touching each other the top M is to the left a bit the bottom to the right.
Do you know who the maker or year it could have ben made I can email you a photo if you need it.
I appreciate anyone’s help with this peice
Thank you
Theresa
HI THERE..COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE NUMBERS MEAN ON THE BOTTOM OF A PIECE OF POTTERY..SUCH AS 113/60?
THANK YOU SO MUCH
The first number (113) usually is the unique code assigned by its maker to identify its pieces. The second number (60) has usually to do with the size in centimeters. However, each artist or company set their own rules, based on the characteristics of their production …
I have a bowl and lid given to me by my Grandmother. It is signed on the bottom as follows;
EAPOD MONTE
366/76 (the 7 is very hard to make out and may not be a 7)
ITALY
Have you heard of this artist?
The bowl is beautifully embossed and hand painted. The lid has a Kneeling Cherub as a handle.
Do you think it has any monetary value?
Hi
Could anyone let me know anything at all about this lovely little bowl with lid I bought yesterday? As you can see its marked with a V and a cross? Many thanks, Nick
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/842/img0019hdc.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/94/img0021zes.jpg/
I found some pottery that has the marks written 60/12 m. n. lo Italy and the t in Italy looks like an umbrella. Any idea as to when this would have been produced or by whom?
I found a poodle with a planter and lamp all in one. This piece was found in an old car in the woods. It has flowers in the planter. On the bottom it reads G.C. 42/46 Then it reads Minico Italy. I’ve been trying to find out what it may be worth. Anyone know?
I have a medium size bowl that looks like something you would put a plant in.The bowl is mark at the bottom with these markings.FAC 1 C.C. Italy. All the lettering is done with gold paint.The gold paint is also on the bowl itself.The scence on the bowl is a outdoor scene that has a house painted on it and the trees have gold leaves on them. Would you let me know if its really Italian pottery?
I’ve been trying for over 10yrs now to figure out who/where these 2 plates I have are from. They are definitely terracotta plates, hand painted with a woman one one and a man on the other, wearing clothes from a period of a few hundred years agon…that’s a guess anyways. There is gold inlay all throughout the plate and on the rim. The intials on the front of the plate look like KB or maybe CB and they are part of a set I believe, due to whats on the back….the back says Italy, the B.7.
I fell in love with these instantly and will never part with them, but would appreciate any help in learning more information about the plates and the artist.
Thanks to all who can help!
I have pictures of a large cup with handle and large saucer that I would like to send to you but I do not have an e-mail address to send it to you. Maybe you could give me an idea where or who made these. It has Italy on the back, which I will show you. I just wanted some information about this as I just inherited it and know nothing about its origin.
Thank you,
Lisa Faust