{"id":81,"date":"2023-09-04T13:44:08","date_gmt":"2023-09-04T11:44:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thatsarte.com\/blog\/highlights\/handmade-italian-dinnerware-guide\/"},"modified":"2023-09-04T13:44:09","modified_gmt":"2023-09-04T11:44:09","slug":"handmade-italian-dinnerware-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thatsarte.com\/blog\/how-to\/handmade-italian-dinnerware-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"A Quick Guide to Handmade Italian Dinnerware"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The artistry of handmade Italian dinnerware explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Selecting the perfect dinnerware set<\/a> 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<\/a>, I can definitely give you the lowdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The craftsmanship unveiled: how is Italian dinnerware made<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u00b0F to 2100\u00b0F. This tradition goes way back \u2013 there’s evidence of earthenware pieces dating back to 1400-1200 BC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Italian artists and artisans work with red or white clay. The sturdier red clay is used for pieces that need to handle high temperatures and everyday use, like dinner plates<\/a>, platters<\/a>, serving bowls<\/a>, mugs<\/a>, and cups<\/a>. On the other hand, white clay is reserved for serving accessories such as cruets and jars.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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If you own an Italian ceramic and wish to know if it’s made of white or red clay, just flip the piece over. You’ll find a small area left unglazed to prevent the piece from sticking to the kiln surface during the firing. The clay is clearly visible there.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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All the glazes and colors used by the artists for their tableware and kitchenware are lead and cadmium free, meeting FDA standards and U.S. import regulations. Trustworthy sellers always make a point to mention 100% food safety in the item descriptions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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After the first firing, the artisan dips the biscotto (unglazed red or white clay) in liquid glaze. This process seals the biscotto’s pores, allowing it to hold liquids. Once the piece dries, it’s ready to be transformed for hand-painting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Kiln-fired<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

After the decoration, a final firing at 1690\u00b0F brings the glaze and metal oxides together, creating the stunning, vibrant colors that are the hallmark of Italian pottery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The art of being handmade<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Handmade is the opposite of machine-made or mass-produced.
The essence and intrinsic value of Italian pottery<\/a> lies in its being handmade. The word conjures images of a slower, more deliberate pace, a connection to heritage and gestures that give form to imagination.
Potters work with refined clay, shaping it with their hands or on a wheel to create beautiful pieces. The quality of the result depends on the potter’s skills, proper drying, and a slow kiln firing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dinner plates are a bit of an exception \u2013 they’re often press-molded to make sure they’re perfectly shaped and sit evenly on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elegance of brushwork in hand-painted Italian dinnerware<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Picture an Italian artist delicately painting a pottery piece \u2013 a mesmerizing spectacle that captures the essence of hand-painted elegance. I visited several artists’ studios, and I cannot stop marveling. No matter how many times they’ve painted the same design, their brushwork is always infused with the excitement of creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To truly appreciate hand-painted Italian pottery, you need to know a few facts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is that painters can’t afford mistakes \u2013 brushstrokes cannot be erased, and in most cases, an error results in the piece’s disposal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Also, glazes are wild things. The colors you see before firing won’t be the same afterward. That stunning blue from Renaissance majolicas<\/a>? It’s actually pale pink before firing.
Every color needs a specific firing temperature for the perfect shade, and a slight variation can make a big difference \u2013 a surprising revelation that speaks to the alchemy of the craft.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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