How To Collect And Display Italian Pottery

By Lisa Schmidt


If you have ever seen brightly glazed pottery covered in gorgeous patterns you know how beautiful ceramic pieces can be. Chances are, if the colors were bright and featured images such as animals, fruit or flowers there is a strong possibility it was Italian pottery. It has a distinctive color scheme and decorating style that is both recognizable and appealing and it is no wonder that so many people choose to have these items in their homes.

Pottery and ceramics have been made for thousands of years. Clay is molded into a variety of different shapes and is painted with glaze. When it is heated for an extended period of time the glaze will form a hard, durable coating which makes the piece waterproof as well as beautiful to look at. Some pieces can be quite delicate and intricate so it is no wonder that they are considered art as well as something that is functional.

If you are someone who has collected pottery for an extended period of time it is usually possible to tell where a piece was created. This is because artisans living in a specific geographic areas or during specific time periods tend to use similar color schemes, decorative elements, and carving or painting techniques that are easy to recognize. If you see a particular element that you like it may be worthwhile to find out where the piece that interests you was created so that you can find other pieces that look the same.

Italian pieces are often extremely colorful and the hues that are used are very bright. Colors can range from white to blue to yellow. Some pieces may feature images of fruit while others may be decorated with floral patterns or images of birds and animals.

Doing your research can be helpful when it comes to building a collection. It will help you determine which areas have the patterns and color schemes that you are looking for. If you are considering a specific piece you may want to look at all of the information that comes with it so that you can tell whether the style and size will be suitable for your needs.

While yellow is a common color used in many of these pieces it is not the only color that is used for decoration. If you want to make sure that your collection will fit well in an existing decorating scheme you may want to look for pieces that contain that color.

If authenticity is something that is important to you then building your collection may involve more research than if you simply want the look. Many pieces are being imported from Asia or other areas rather than coming directly from Italy. You may want to make sure you are dealing with reputable websites when shopping for pottery items.

Once you have your collection started don't be afraid to actually use the pieces you own. Just make sure that you find out any special care instructions that might be needed so that your items will look just as good years from now as they did on the day you bought them.




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