The Difference Between Pottery, Ceramics And Majolica, With Special Regard To Italian Ceramics

As an Italian, when I have to write in English or				This technique originates in the Middle East in the
talk with one of my American Customers I am				9th century. By the 13th century majolica ware
always uncertain: should I say Italian Pottery,				was imported into Italy through the Isle of
Italian Ceramics or Italian Majolica?				Majorca, headquarter of the trade between Spain
In order to do away with any doubt, I did some				and Italy.
research and ran some tests.				The Italians called it Maiolica, erroneously thinking it
I learned quite a lot on the subject and I would				was made in Majorca. They were fascinated by
love to share my findings with you.				this new way of making ceramics and soon
Let's start with technicalities.				started to copy the process, adapting it by their
Here is a short review of the definition of the				own creativity and traditions. The rise of Italian
words Ceramics, Pottery and Majolica. Once we				majolica in Europe was fast and reached its peak
know exactly what we are talking about, we will				of artistic quality throughout central Italy during
define what they really mean to				the Renaissance - late 15th and early 16th
people.CERAMICS				centuries.
Ceramic is the most general term. It is derived				Nowadays, in English the word Majolica is used to
from the Greek word keramos, meaning "clay".				refer to ceramic ware in the stylistic tradition of
Historically, ceramics were prepared by shaping				the Italian Renaissance.
clay, decorating it, often glazing it and firing it at				A huge step ahead.
high temperatures in a kiln.				Now I know that I collect and sell Pottery,
However, this definition has changed. The term				specifically Earthenware, mostly Italian majolica.
ceramics now refers to a diverse group of				The original question is still unanswered, though. I
materials, including cements and glass. While all are				still do not know what I should call my beloved
fired at high temperatures, clay is no longer a key				ware when talking to my American friends. Having
component of ceramics.				rejected the use of Earthenware, because the
That is why, nowadays, the category ceramics				word is by far too technical, I tested using the
technically includes both pottery and porcelain,				term Italian majolica.
which, with their standard formulas, have come to				Only museum staff or experts understood what I
popularly represent quality grades.				meant, and many of them figured I was taking
POTTERY				about istoriato Renaissance ware, while I had in
Pottery is an ornamental or useful ware shaped				mind modern Italian majolica pieces.
from moist clay and hardened by heat.				As the next step I tested the phrase Italian
The type of clay used and the temperature at				pottery.
which it is fired give pottery a different				The result was good, everybody knew I was
appearance and strength. There are three major				talking about clay ware in the shape of an Italian
pottery types.				bowl, an Italian vase or an Italian dinnerware set. I
- Earthenware				was not satisfied, though. Pottery is any kind of
It is also know as bisque or biscuit and it is fired				ware shaped from moist clay and hardened by
at low temperatures - 1800Â°to 2100Â°				heat. Pottery can be used for a $20 chicken
Fahrenheit. It is usually reddish or white. Due to its				cooking pot as well as a $2000 Italian istoriato wall
high porosity, earthenware must usually be glazed				plate.
to enable it to hold water. Earthenware pieces				How could I convey both the technical process
have been found that date back to 1400-1200				behind Italian pottery as well as its unique quality
BC, making this craft the oldest pottery in history.				and beauty?
- Stoneware				I tested the term Italian ceramics and it worked
It is made of a heavier clay mixture, which can				perfectly. Digging into my Customers and friends
be fired at much higher temperatures -				answers I found out that it actually conveyed high
2200Â° to 2400Â° Fahrenheit. It is dense,				quality and included both dinnerware and
impermeable and hard enough to resist scratching				ornamental ware.
by a steel point. It's brownish gray and it can be				There is an historical explanation for this.
used both blazed and unglazed. Ideal for cooking				Although "Ceramics" is - nowadays and in purely
and baking.				technical language - a more general term than
- Porcelain				pottery, it has been used for more than 3000
It's made of a specific clay, containing kaolinite,				years in the countries where this craft is born and
and it is fired at high temperatures - 2200Â°				it has evolved into an art. Italy is one of those
to 2500Â° Fahrenheit. It is hard, impermeable				countries: we proudly handcrafted some of the
(even before glazing), white, translucent and				finest ceramics in the history of this art.
resonant.				Italian ceramics include the Etruscan "bucchero",
MAJOLICA				the Renaissance majolica and lusterware, the
Majolica - also spelled Maiolica - is the beautiful				Baroque tiles from Sicily, the "zaffera" from
ware prepared by tin-glazing earthenware and				central Italy, the contemporary clay art...
firing it a second time. After the first firing, the				When we say Italian ceramics, we mean much
bisque is dipped into a bath of fast drying liquid				more than items made of clay, earthenware or
glaze.				majolica. These two words embody artistic
When dry, the glazed piece is ready to be hand				heritage, history, regional traditions, the creativity
painted. A final firing at 1690Â° Fahrenheit will				of a people. They touch a chord in our souls. That
make the glaze interact with the metal oxides				is probably why so many people are passionate
used by the painter to create the deep and				about Italian ceramics.
brilliant translucent colors specific to majolica.				Like you and I.

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The Difference Between Pottery, Ceramics And Majolica, With Special Regard To Italian Ceramics