Production Stages
Artistic ceramics come to life through several production stages, each following the other in sequence. Every stage requires years of experience and skill, making the process both fascinating and complex.
Wheel-Throwing
The object begins as a shapeless mass of clay, which the “torniante” — the wheel-thrower — skilfully shapes on the potter’s wheel. Only after years of experience can an artisan create even large-sized pieces. At the end of this first stage, the piece dries naturally for at least 24 hours.
Finishing and Raised Decorations
The next step involves partially finishing the piece: using metal tools, the artisan removes excess clay left over from the first stage and defines the final shape. Where required, decorative elements — handles, scrolls, lion heads — are then added to further embellish the object. This work must be completed before the piece finishes drying. Finally, before firing, the artisan smooths the piece through sponging: an essential process for removing any remaining imperfections.
First Firing: the “Biscuit”
After a few days of drying, necessary to prevent cracking, the pieces are placed on a mobile trolley, which is then loaded into the kiln for firing at over 1000°C. The firing cycle lasts around 24 hours. The result, known in ceramic jargon as “biscuit”, becomes the starting point for every following stage.
Decoration and Glazing
Depending on the type of work and the clay used — white or red paste — the object may be glazed before decoration, or decorated first and then coated with a vitrifying glaze that gives it shine after firing.
The decoration stage requires years of experience, along with a distinctive and uncommon artistic talent. To speed up work on catalogue items, the artisan uses a preliminary sketch of the design on tissue paper, known as “spolvero”. After perforating it, a charcoal pad is dabbed over it, leaving a faint outline on the piece as a general guide for positioning the subject. Only then does the actual decoration begin.
Firing and Colour Fixing
Once painting is complete, the artisan carefully places the pieces back into the kiln for a second firing, at around 950°C, which fixes the colours and gives the piece its glossy finish through the fusion of materials caused by the high temperatures. This cycle also lasts around 24 hours.
Quality Check
After firing, each piece is checked for defects or cracks resulting from the process just completed.
Lustre and Precious Materials
Some collections — including “Riflesso”, the traditional artistic collection of our city — receive an additional decoration with precious materials, for an even more refined result. After this stage, the pieces go back into the kiln for a third firing, at around 700°C. This is a particularly delicate stage: at these temperatures, materials reach their incandescence and fusion point, and the risk of breakage rises considerably.