Italy Panorama

The colors of Deruta

Deruta

Perugia Province, Umbria
Population: 8935 inhabitants, Elevation: 234 m

In the central heart of Umbria, approximately half-way between Rome and Florence, lies Deruta. At first glance from the approach, it appears like any other of the multitude of medieval towns dotting the countryside. Enter the gates, however, and you will quickly see that this hamlet is singular: its sole industry is ceramics. The nearly two hundred workshops and stores, along with a school for Ceramic Arts and a Ceramics Museum, all confirm Deruta’s thriving artistic tradition.

The particular form of ceramic-ware found throughout Italy and popularized in Deruta is called Majolica, or Maiolica in Italian, and is said to have originated from Majorca, brought to Italy by traveling merchants. The Moorish design influences are retained even today in many traditional patterns. Deruta’s rise as a center for ceramics is due in part to its location on the Tiber, a site of natural clay deposits. During the Renaissance, Deruta flourished and became Italy’s principle center for Majolica. Designs that were popularized during that period, such as Raffaelesco, Ricco Deruta and the perennially popular Rooster, or Gallo, are still being produced today, along with each workshop’s own contemporary signature designs. All of the patterns are brilliantly colored, highly decorative, hand-painted masterpieces.

Ceramics are part of the architecture

Traditional methods are still employed to produce the beautiful pieces of artwork. A very fine-grained clay is hand thrown on a wheel or cast in molds, then fired for the first time. After cooling, the piece is dipped in a white glaze to create a blank canvas on which the artisan meticulously paints the classic designs. The piece is then fired again.

World renowned, historic pieces of Deruta pottery are placed in museums throughout the world and it is widely collected. Its durability and functionality make it highly practical and usable, though, as well. Prices can range from cheap to exorbitant depending upon the showroom or designer. Once you have found the perfect pattern, most workshops will gladly and carefully box and ship your purchases back home for you.

Inside a showroom

Inside the walls of the medieval town are smaller stores and workshops with very high quality, and often higher prices. Lining the main street of the newer town, via Tiburina, are larger, more modern workshops and showrooms, though these also retain and preserve the historic artistic traditions. Many of these workshops allow you to watch the process of making Deruta ceramics.