Hand-painted in Gubbio, the Lustre Christmas ornaments are a masterpiece of craftsmanship, bringing together the charm of traditional artistry with the magic of the season.
They are handcrafted by Rampini, artisans based in Gubbio. Founded by Pietro Rampini in 1954, this family-run studio is well-known for the sophisticated, elegant quality of its ceramics.
Continue readingPandoro, a name closely associated with Italian Christmas traditions, is a beloved dessert that has won the hearts of millions around the world. Its unique shape, rich buttery flavor, and fine texture make it a quintessential holiday treat in Italy.
Deeply rooted in Italy’s cultural and festive traditions, Pandoro is strongly linked to craftsmanship, often paired with hand-painted Italian ceramic cake platters. Together, they represent centuries of tradition.
Just as the Pandoro recipe has been perfected over generations, Italian ceramic cake platters are frequently passed down through families, becoming heirlooms that connect generations through their shared enjoyment of Christmas and family celebrations.
The history of Pandoro is not just about its delicious taste but also about the cultural and historical context that gave birth to one of the most iconic pastries in the world.
The origins of Pandoro can be traced back to Verona, a city in northern Italy. Verona has a long history of baking traditions, and it is here that the story of Pandoro begins. The name “pandoro” itself is quite revealing; “pan” means “bread” in Italian, while “oro” translates to “gold.” This golden bread reflects the rich, luxurious nature of the dessert.
Continue readingAs lovers and collectors of Italian arts and crafts, we often go out of our way to bring you hidden treasures from our country.
One of our most recent discoveries is the rich tradition of Italian pocket knives. Over the centuries, nearly every Italian region has contributed to this unique form of craftsmanship.
The geography of Italy has greatly influenced its people and their activities, leading local artisans to create specialized tools that suit the specific tasks of their communities, whether in farming, hunting, or breeding. Consequently, knife makers from different areas have designed blades tailored to meet everyday needs, reflecting the lifestyles of our ancestors.
While exploring the fascinating history of Italian knife making, we came across the Berti and Consigli regional pocket knives—two outstanding collections of meticulously crafted blades. These collections not only celebrate Italy’s regional diversity but also serve as powerful symbols of the enduring legacy of Italian artisanship and cultural richness.
Berti and Consigli, two small yet prestigious Tuscan companies, have embraced the centuries-old tradition of Italian knife-making. Over the past hundred years, they have hand-forged some of Italy’s finest knives, ranging from functional kitchen and steak knives to exquisite pocket knives.
Continue readingDear fellow holiday enthusiasts,
We’re excited to unveil something truly special for this Christmas season: our very first annual edition hand-painted Christmas ornament.
This hand-painted collectible Italian Christmas ornament 2024 is more than just a decoration; it’s a piece of art that captures the magic of one of the world’s most iconic Christmas trees – you can read more about it below.
We plan to introduce a new, unique ornament every year, with each piece representing the rich tradition of Italian ceramic art. The ornaments will be marked with the year of creation and signed by the artist to guarantee their authenticity. Begin your collection this year and enhance your holiday décor with a touch of Italian artistry.
Keepsake boxes are versatile Italian treasures, perfect as jewelry holders, party favors, candy boxes, or bomboniere.
While you may be familiar with the tradition of party favors, the bomboniere tradition might need some explaining for those who are not Italian.
Bomboniere are traditional gifts given to guests as tokens of gratitude for attending a wedding, christening, first communion, confirmation, or graduation party.
Continue readingPanettone is the ultimate Italian Christmas cake, instantly recognizable for its domed shape and its sweet, buttery dough studded with candied fruits and raisins.
Baking a panettone at home is a labor of love, but if you are up for the challenge, you can find a recipe at the end of this post. If you do not feel confident enough to make it yourself, don’t worry!
Most Italians purchase it from their favorite pasticceria, and you can probably find a quality Panettone at your local specialty store.
Continue readingFor us Italians, espresso is more than a drink; it’s a moment of pure pleasure. You’ll often see us savoring our daily shot with closed eyes, relishing in the moment.
There is no simple answer to the question of how Italians prefer their espresso. If you were to watch four Italians ordering their daily espresso at a bar, you would notice that each of them requests a different type of coffee. They may ask for differences in temperature, quantity, brewing process, or ingredients.
To help you understand the basics of Italian espresso culture, here is a brief menu, which you can use to try different varieties and find your favorite espresso. It might even inspire you to plan your next trip to Italy to test your knowledge!
Continue readingSelecting the perfect dinnerware set requires careful consideration. With so many options in terms of brands, designs, and materials, and considering the cost involved, the task can be daunting.
If one of the options you are considering is purchasing hand-painted Italian dinner plates, I can definitely give you the lowdown.
Italian dinnerware sets are usually crafted from ceramic, a word that comes from the Greek term “keramos,” which means “clay.” Ceramic covers a range of materials, including porcelain and pottery. Most Italian dinnerware is made from earthenware fired at temperatures around 1800°F to 2100°F. This tradition goes way back – there’s evidence of earthenware pieces dating back to 1400-1200 BC.
Continue readingArt Nouveau developed in the 1890s across Italy and the rest of Europe, energizing the art scene with its exciting and seductive works of art that continue to influence contemporary artists and designers today.
Refusing classicisms and Europe’s modern identity of industry and mass production, artists purposely set out to revolutionize art and create something new – hence Art Nouveau. They drew inspiration from nature, abstracting organic subjects into sophisticated, flowing motifs.
Seeking to infuse everyday life with a new aesthetic, Art Nouveau sewed fine arts and craftsmanship together while successfully tearing down the hierarchies between the arts.
Traditional handicrafts had a glorious revival, with artists aiming to enrich the lives of the public by improving the design of domestic spaces and objects.
Art Nouveau’s legacy continues to inspire Italian artists and artisans today. We have handpicked a small selection of pewter and ceramic works of art to discover and delight in.
Discover our hand-picked collection of Art Nouveau ceramics by Francesca Niccacci from Deruta and pewter tableware and home décor by Cosi Tabellini from Brescia.
The first time I saw ND Dolfi’s amazing Tuscan tiles, I was visiting the artist’s studio in Montelupo Fiorentino. It was over 15 years ago.
Silvano Dolfi had created large tile panels supported by free-standing iron structures. The multi-colored installations dotted his lawn, positioned so he could see them from the large windows of his beautiful Tuscan casale. Similar to giant paintings, they acted as a strange reversal of the common indoor-outdoor decoration.
I saw them again a few years later in his daughters’ workshop. They were grouped to form large, textured surfaces – each tile fighting for attention with its bold colors and unusual patterns.
By then, Natalia and Daria had followed in the steps of their famous father and started contributing to ND Dolfi’s collections.
I knew I wanted those tiles in my life, but I had to wait until I had the right space and an inspiring décor idea. A few years later, I completed the renovation of my family’s country house and realized that the living room – its 15-foot high ceilings and large windows overlooking the garden – was the perfect space for a large tile panel.
However, it took me a few years of living in the house to know exactly what I wanted and how to achieve it. At that point, I was ready to commission Natalia and Daria Dolfi my ceramic wall panel.
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