{"title":"PLANTERS","description":"\u003ch1\u003eItalian Ceramic Planters\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur collection of Italian ceramic planters are here from Italy!! Moorish and Florentine heads as well as traditional Italian planters are all handcrafted in Italy.  \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"turtle-mini-turtle-bowl","title":"Turtle Cachepot, Small","description":"\u003ch4\u003eDESCRIPTION\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eTurtle Cachepot, Small\u003c\/strong\u003e is hand-painted by \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/susanna-desimone\"\u003eSusanna DeSimone\u003c\/a\u003e at her family's historic studio — \u003cstrong\u003eFabbrica della Ceramica\u003c\/strong\u003e — in Palermo, Sicily. Use it as a \u003cstrong\u003eplanter, serving bowl, or sculptural centerpiece\u003c\/strong\u003e — these sculptural pieces are designed to do double duty. They carry the joyful cubist line and vivid Sicilian palette her family has been known for since her father Giovanni DeSimone worked alongside Pablo Picasso in the mid-20th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach Susanna DeSimone piece is hand-crafted, hand-glazed, and hand-painted in Palermo. Because the work is fully handmade, no two pieces are ever identical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe small imperfections such as the difference in color, shape, diameter or small bubbles that form inside, do not constitute a defect but testify that it is actually an artisanal product.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePattern:\u003c\/strong\u003e Turtle Cachepot — a Susanna DeSimone original\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-painted Sicilian majolica (tin-glazed earthenware)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Palermo, Sicily\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArtisan:\u003c\/strong\u003e Susanna DeSimone, Fabbrica della Ceramica\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUse:\u003c\/strong\u003e Planter, serving bowl, or decorative centerpiece\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dishwasher safe · Some collectors prefer hand-washing to preserve color brilliance over decades of use · Not microwave safe · Not oven safe · Food-safe (lead-free glaze)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Each piece signed by Susanna DeSimone; bears the \"Fabbrica della Ceramica\" studio mark\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eQuestions buyers ask\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this watertight as a planter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — the glaze is fully sealed and the piece holds water. You can plant directly into the cachepot or use a small liner to extend the life of the piece if you plan to swap plants over the years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I serve food from a cachepot?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — many of our customers use the larger cachepots as olive bowls, salad bowls, or fruit centerpieces on the table. The glaze is lead-free and food-safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the difference between Susanna DeSimone and Giovanni DeSimone?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGiovanni DeSimone founded the studio in mid-20th-century Palermo and worked alongside Pablo Picasso, who shared his innovation of using bright red in glazed ceramics. Susanna DeSimone is Giovanni's daughter and continues the studio today, now operating as Fabbrica della Ceramica. She paints in a similar cubist-folk style as her father but with her own contemporary palette and signature.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a good Italian gift?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — especially for housewarmings, hostess gifts, birthdays, and lovers of Italian or Sicilian art. Susanna DeSimone pieces are some of the most distinctively Italian objects we carry. We gift-wrap on request, ship nationwide, and have been the San Francisco source for authentic Italian gifts since 1946.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy buy Italian gifts from Biordi rather than other retailers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBiordi Art Imports has been San Francisco's source for authentic Italian ceramics and gifts since 1946. Voted \u003cstrong\u003eBest Overall Retailer\u003c\/strong\u003e in the San Francisco Bay Guardian Best of the Bay readers' poll for \u003cstrong\u003efive consecutive years\u003c\/strong\u003e. Designated a \u003cstrong\u003eSan Francisco Legacy Business\u003c\/strong\u003e (#LBR-2020-21-029), and the city declared \u003cstrong\u003eMay 1 \"Biordi Art Imports Day\"\u003c\/strong\u003e in 2021. Every piece comes from a named Italian artisan, family workshop, or heritage house we work with directly — FIMA, CF Deruta, Pia Formato, Eugenio Ricciarelli, Susanna DeSimone, Geribi, Bucci Ceramiche, Ortigia Sicilia, Italesse, and Salviati. So each piece is genuinely one-of-a-kind. Not a stock-photo listing, not a mass-produced import, not a reproduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eARTISAN STORY\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Susanna DeSimone artistic tradition was founded in Palermo, Sicily, by her father \u003cstrong\u003eGiovanni DeSimone\u003c\/strong\u003e — a renowned and innovative artisan known for intense colors and a cubist drawing style similar to Pablo Picasso. Early in his career, Giovanni DeSimone worked alongside Picasso, and the two shared an innovation: the use of bright red in glazed ceramics, which Picasso loved. \u003cem\u003e\"I express what comes through my imagination, filtering old and new memories, comparing my experiences and my understanding,\"\u003c\/em\u003e Giovanni DeSimone wrote in 1991.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBiordi Art Imports was the first US distributor of Giovanni DeSimone's work\u003c\/strong\u003e — a relationship that began in the studio's earliest years in America and continues today with his daughter, \u003cstrong\u003eSusanna DeSimone\u003c\/strong\u003e, who carries the tradition forward. Her limited production bears her signature alongside the studio's new name, \u003cstrong\u003eFabbrica della Ceramica\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DE SIMONE","offers":[{"title":"5 1\/2\" x 4\"","offer_id":12837584666677,"sku":"690","price":110.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/9802\/products\/IMG_3261.jpg?v=1649714922"},{"product_id":"elephant-mini-elephant-bowl","title":"Elephant Cachepot, Small","description":"\u003ch4\u003eDESCRIPTION\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eElephant Cachepot, Small\u003c\/strong\u003e is hand-painted by \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/susanna-desimone\"\u003eSusanna DeSimone\u003c\/a\u003e at her family's historic studio — \u003cstrong\u003eFabbrica della Ceramica\u003c\/strong\u003e — in Palermo, Sicily. Use it as a \u003cstrong\u003eplanter, serving bowl, or sculptural centerpiece\u003c\/strong\u003e — these sculptural pieces are designed to do double duty. They carry the joyful cubist line and vivid Sicilian palette her family has been known for since her father Giovanni DeSimone worked alongside Pablo Picasso in the mid-20th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach Susanna DeSimone piece is hand-crafted, hand-glazed, and hand-painted in Palermo. Because the work is fully handmade, no two pieces are ever identical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe small imperfections such as the difference in color, shape, diameter or small bubbles that form inside, do not constitute a defect but testify that it is actually an artisanal product.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePattern:\u003c\/strong\u003e Elephant Cachepot — a Susanna DeSimone original\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-painted Sicilian majolica (tin-glazed earthenware)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Palermo, Sicily\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArtisan:\u003c\/strong\u003e Susanna DeSimone, Fabbrica della Ceramica\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUse:\u003c\/strong\u003e Planter, serving bowl, or decorative centerpiece\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dishwasher safe · Some collectors prefer hand-washing to preserve color brilliance over decades of use · Not microwave safe · Not oven safe · Food-safe (lead-free glaze)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Each piece signed by Susanna DeSimone; bears the \"Fabbrica della Ceramica\" studio mark\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eQuestions buyers ask\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this watertight as a planter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — the glaze is fully sealed and the piece holds water. You can plant directly into the cachepot or use a small liner to extend the life of the piece if you plan to swap plants over the years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I serve food from a cachepot?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — many of our customers use the larger cachepots as olive bowls, salad bowls, or fruit centerpieces on the table. The glaze is lead-free and food-safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the difference between Susanna DeSimone and Giovanni DeSimone?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGiovanni DeSimone founded the studio in mid-20th-century Palermo and worked alongside Pablo Picasso, who shared his innovation of using bright red in glazed ceramics. Susanna DeSimone is Giovanni's daughter and continues the studio today, now operating as Fabbrica della Ceramica. She paints in a similar cubist-folk style as her father but with her own contemporary palette and signature.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a good Italian gift?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — especially for housewarmings, hostess gifts, birthdays, and lovers of Italian or Sicilian art. Susanna DeSimone pieces are some of the most distinctively Italian objects we carry. We gift-wrap on request, ship nationwide, and have been the San Francisco source for authentic Italian gifts since 1946.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy buy Italian gifts from Biordi rather than other retailers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBiordi Art Imports has been San Francisco's source for authentic Italian ceramics and gifts since 1946. Voted \u003cstrong\u003eBest Overall Retailer\u003c\/strong\u003e in the San Francisco Bay Guardian Best of the Bay readers' poll for \u003cstrong\u003efive consecutive years\u003c\/strong\u003e. Designated a \u003cstrong\u003eSan Francisco Legacy Business\u003c\/strong\u003e (#LBR-2020-21-029), and the city declared \u003cstrong\u003eMay 1 \"Biordi Art Imports Day\"\u003c\/strong\u003e in 2021. Every piece comes from a named Italian artisan, family workshop, or heritage house we work with directly — FIMA, CF Deruta, Pia Formato, Eugenio Ricciarelli, Susanna DeSimone, Geribi, Bucci Ceramiche, Ortigia Sicilia, Italesse, and Salviati. So each piece is genuinely one-of-a-kind. Not a stock-photo listing, not a mass-produced import, not a reproduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eARTISAN STORY\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Susanna DeSimone artistic tradition was founded in Palermo, Sicily, by her father \u003cstrong\u003eGiovanni DeSimone\u003c\/strong\u003e — a renowned and innovative artisan known for intense colors and a cubist drawing style similar to Pablo Picasso. Early in his career, Giovanni DeSimone worked alongside Picasso, and the two shared an innovation: the use of bright red in glazed ceramics, which Picasso loved. \u003cem\u003e\"I express what comes through my imagination, filtering old and new memories, comparing my experiences and my understanding,\"\u003c\/em\u003e Giovanni DeSimone wrote in 1991.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBiordi Art Imports was the first US distributor of Giovanni DeSimone's work\u003c\/strong\u003e — a relationship that began in the studio's earliest years in America and continues today with his daughter, \u003cstrong\u003eSusanna DeSimone\u003c\/strong\u003e, who carries the tradition forward. Her limited production bears her signature alongside the studio's new name, \u003cstrong\u003eFabbrica della Ceramica\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DE SIMONE","offers":[{"title":"6\" x 5\"","offer_id":12837584699445,"sku":"691","price":110.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/9802\/products\/IMG_0491.jpg?v=1630453748"},{"product_id":"rooster-large-rooster-bowl","title":"Rooster Cachepot, Large Size","description":"\u003ch4\u003eDESCRIPTION\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eRooster Cachepot, Large Size\u003c\/strong\u003e is hand-painted by \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/susanna-desimone\"\u003eSusanna DeSimone\u003c\/a\u003e at her family's historic studio — \u003cstrong\u003eFabbrica della Ceramica\u003c\/strong\u003e — in Palermo, Sicily. Use it as a \u003cstrong\u003eplanter, serving bowl, or sculptural centerpiece\u003c\/strong\u003e — these sculptural pieces are designed to do double duty. They carry the joyful cubist line and vivid Sicilian palette her family has been known for since her father Giovanni DeSimone worked alongside Pablo Picasso in the mid-20th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach Susanna DeSimone piece is hand-crafted, hand-glazed, and hand-painted in Palermo. Because the work is fully handmade, no two pieces are ever identical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe small imperfections such as the difference in color, shape, diameter or small bubbles that form inside, do not constitute a defect but testify that it is actually an artisanal product.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePattern:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rooster Cachepot (Large) — a Susanna DeSimone original\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-painted Sicilian majolica (tin-glazed earthenware)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Palermo, Sicily\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArtisan:\u003c\/strong\u003e Susanna DeSimone, Fabbrica della Ceramica\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUse:\u003c\/strong\u003e Planter, serving bowl, or decorative centerpiece\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dishwasher safe · Some collectors prefer hand-washing to preserve color brilliance over decades of use · Not microwave safe · Not oven safe · Food-safe (lead-free glaze)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Each piece signed by Susanna DeSimone; bears the \"Fabbrica della Ceramica\" studio mark\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eQuestions buyers ask\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this watertight as a planter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — the glaze is fully sealed and the piece holds water. You can plant directly into the cachepot or use a small liner to extend the life of the piece if you plan to swap plants over the years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I serve food from a cachepot?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — many of our customers use the larger cachepots as olive bowls, salad bowls, or fruit centerpieces on the table. The glaze is lead-free and food-safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the difference between Susanna DeSimone and Giovanni DeSimone?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGiovanni DeSimone founded the studio in mid-20th-century Palermo and worked alongside Pablo Picasso, who shared his innovation of using bright red in glazed ceramics. Susanna DeSimone is Giovanni's daughter and continues the studio today, now operating as Fabbrica della Ceramica. She paints in a similar cubist-folk style as her father but with her own contemporary palette and signature.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a good Italian gift?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — especially for housewarmings, hostess gifts, birthdays, and lovers of Italian or Sicilian art. Susanna DeSimone pieces are some of the most distinctively Italian objects we carry. We gift-wrap on request, ship nationwide, and have been the San Francisco source for authentic Italian gifts since 1946.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy buy Italian gifts from Biordi rather than other retailers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBiordi Art Imports has been San Francisco's source for authentic Italian ceramics and gifts since 1946. Voted \u003cstrong\u003eBest Overall Retailer\u003c\/strong\u003e in the San Francisco Bay Guardian Best of the Bay readers' poll for \u003cstrong\u003efive consecutive years\u003c\/strong\u003e. Designated a \u003cstrong\u003eSan Francisco Legacy Business\u003c\/strong\u003e (#LBR-2020-21-029), and the city declared \u003cstrong\u003eMay 1 \"Biordi Art Imports Day\"\u003c\/strong\u003e in 2021. Every piece comes from a named Italian artisan, family workshop, or heritage house we work with directly — FIMA, CF Deruta, Pia Formato, Eugenio Ricciarelli, Susanna DeSimone, Geribi, Bucci Ceramiche, Ortigia Sicilia, Italesse, and Salviati. So each piece is genuinely one-of-a-kind. Not a stock-photo listing, not a mass-produced import, not a reproduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eARTISAN STORY\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Susanna DeSimone artistic tradition was founded in Palermo, Sicily, by her father \u003cstrong\u003eGiovanni DeSimone\u003c\/strong\u003e — a renowned and innovative artisan known for intense colors and a cubist drawing style similar to Pablo Picasso. Early in his career, Giovanni DeSimone worked alongside Picasso, and the two shared an innovation: the use of bright red in glazed ceramics, which Picasso loved. \u003cem\u003e\"I express what comes through my imagination, filtering old and new memories, comparing my experiences and my understanding,\"\u003c\/em\u003e Giovanni DeSimone wrote in 1991.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBiordi Art Imports was the first US distributor of Giovanni DeSimone's work\u003c\/strong\u003e — a relationship that began in the studio's earliest years in America and continues today with his daughter, \u003cstrong\u003eSusanna DeSimone\u003c\/strong\u003e, who carries the tradition forward. Her limited production bears her signature alongside the studio's new name, \u003cstrong\u003eFabbrica della Ceramica\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DE SIMONE","offers":[{"title":"16\" x 14\"","offer_id":12837584961589,"sku":"694","price":280.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/9802\/products\/913E1A93-F2DE-4668-946C-29A74D5D6A1D.jpg?v=1630453071"},{"product_id":"ceramic-white-planter-with-12kt-gold-lion","title":"Ceramic White Planter with 24 Karat Gold Lion","description":"\u003ch4\u003eDESCRIPTION\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;\"\u003eCeramic White Planter with 12 karat Gold Ring by IDEart, made in Castelli, precariously perched on a capricious ridge of the Apennines. In the shadow of Gran Sasso works Antonio Di Francesco, shaping the same earth that occasionally wobbles his wheel and studio. Antonio’s works and the views – breathtaking!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan color=\"#000000\" style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe small imperfections such as the difference in color, shape, diameter or small bubbles that form inside, do not constitute a defect but testify that it is actually an artisanal product.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eARTISAN STORY\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastelli, precariously perched on a capricious ridge of the Apennines. In the shadow of Gran Sasso works Antonio Di Francesco, shaping the same earth that occasionally wobbles his wheel and studio. Antonio’s works and the views – breathtaking!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"IDEART","offers":[{"title":"15\" x 5\" x 5\"","offer_id":39659293868085,"sku":"2369","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/9802\/products\/Ideart_White_Rectangular_Planter_Lion_Handle_1500px.jpg?v=1543023210"},{"product_id":"elephant-bowl-medium","title":"Elephant Cachepot, Large","description":"\u003ch4\u003eDESCRIPTION\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eElephant Cachepot, Large\u003c\/strong\u003e is hand-painted by \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/susanna-desimone\"\u003eSusanna DeSimone\u003c\/a\u003e at her family's historic studio — \u003cstrong\u003eFabbrica della Ceramica\u003c\/strong\u003e — in Palermo, Sicily. Use it as a \u003cstrong\u003eplanter, serving bowl, or sculptural centerpiece\u003c\/strong\u003e — these sculptural pieces are designed to do double duty. They carry the joyful cubist line and vivid Sicilian palette her family has been known for since her father Giovanni DeSimone worked alongside Pablo Picasso in the mid-20th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach Susanna DeSimone piece is hand-crafted, hand-glazed, and hand-painted in Palermo. Because the work is fully handmade, no two pieces are ever identical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe small imperfections such as the difference in color, shape, diameter or small bubbles that form inside, do not constitute a defect but testify that it is actually an artisanal product.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePattern:\u003c\/strong\u003e Elephant Cachepot (Large) — a Susanna DeSimone original\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-painted Sicilian majolica (tin-glazed earthenware)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Palermo, Sicily\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArtisan:\u003c\/strong\u003e Susanna DeSimone, Fabbrica della Ceramica\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e approx. 9\" wide\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUse:\u003c\/strong\u003e Planter, serving bowl, or decorative centerpiece\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dishwasher safe · Some collectors prefer hand-washing to preserve color brilliance over decades of use · Not microwave safe · Not oven safe · Food-safe (lead-free glaze)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Each piece signed by Susanna DeSimone; bears the \"Fabbrica della Ceramica\" studio mark\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eQuestions buyers ask\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this watertight as a planter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — the glaze is fully sealed and the piece holds water. You can plant directly into the cachepot or use a small liner to extend the life of the piece if you plan to swap plants over the years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I serve food from a cachepot?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — many of our customers use the larger cachepots as olive bowls, salad bowls, or fruit centerpieces on the table. The glaze is lead-free and food-safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the difference between Susanna DeSimone and Giovanni DeSimone?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGiovanni DeSimone founded the studio in mid-20th-century Palermo and worked alongside Pablo Picasso, who shared his innovation of using bright red in glazed ceramics. Susanna DeSimone is Giovanni's daughter and continues the studio today, now operating as Fabbrica della Ceramica. She paints in a similar cubist-folk style as her father but with her own contemporary palette and signature.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a good Italian gift?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — especially for housewarmings, hostess gifts, birthdays, and lovers of Italian or Sicilian art. Susanna DeSimone pieces are some of the most distinctively Italian objects we carry. We gift-wrap on request, ship nationwide, and have been the San Francisco source for authentic Italian gifts since 1946.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy buy Italian gifts from Biordi rather than other retailers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBiordi Art Imports has been San Francisco's source for authentic Italian ceramics and gifts since 1946. Voted \u003cstrong\u003eBest Overall Retailer\u003c\/strong\u003e in the San Francisco Bay Guardian Best of the Bay readers' poll for \u003cstrong\u003efive consecutive years\u003c\/strong\u003e. Designated a \u003cstrong\u003eSan Francisco Legacy Business\u003c\/strong\u003e (#LBR-2020-21-029), and the city declared \u003cstrong\u003eMay 1 \"Biordi Art Imports Day\"\u003c\/strong\u003e in 2021. Every piece comes from a named Italian artisan, family workshop, or heritage house we work with directly — FIMA, CF Deruta, Pia Formato, Eugenio Ricciarelli, Susanna DeSimone, Geribi, Bucci Ceramiche, Ortigia Sicilia, Italesse, and Salviati. So each piece is genuinely one-of-a-kind. Not a stock-photo listing, not a mass-produced import, not a reproduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eARTISAN STORY\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Susanna DeSimone artistic tradition was founded in Palermo, Sicily, by her father \u003cstrong\u003eGiovanni DeSimone\u003c\/strong\u003e — a renowned and innovative artisan known for intense colors and a cubist drawing style similar to Pablo Picasso. Early in his career, Giovanni DeSimone worked alongside Picasso, and the two shared an innovation: the use of bright red in glazed ceramics, which Picasso loved. \u003cem\u003e\"I express what comes through my imagination, filtering old and new memories, comparing my experiences and my understanding,\"\u003c\/em\u003e Giovanni DeSimone wrote in 1991.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBiordi Art Imports was the first US distributor of Giovanni DeSimone's work\u003c\/strong\u003e — a relationship that began in the studio's earliest years in America and continues today with his daughter, \u003cstrong\u003eSusanna DeSimone\u003c\/strong\u003e, who carries the tradition forward. Her limited production bears her signature alongside the studio's new name, \u003cstrong\u003eFabbrica della Ceramica\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DE SIMONE","offers":[{"title":"10\" x 16\"","offer_id":32305906679861,"sku":"2950","price":280.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/9802\/products\/97CB14B6-7347-4410-9A3F-E2470B4A9DAE.jpg?v=1630449814"},{"product_id":"lion-bowl-large","title":"Lion Cachepot, Large","description":"\u003ch4\u003eDESCRIPTION\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eLion Cachepot, Large\u003c\/strong\u003e is hand-painted by \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/susanna-desimone\"\u003eSusanna DeSimone\u003c\/a\u003e at her family's historic studio — \u003cstrong\u003eFabbrica della Ceramica\u003c\/strong\u003e — in Palermo, Sicily. Hand-crafted in the shape of a stylized lion — a signature Susanna DeSimone subject — with the cubist line and bold Sicilian palette her family is known for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach Susanna DeSimone piece is hand-crafted, hand-glazed, and hand-painted in Palermo. Because the work is fully handmade, no two pieces are ever identical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe small imperfections such as the difference in color, shape, diameter or small bubbles that form inside, do not constitute a defect but testify that it is actually an artisanal product.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePattern:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lion Cachepot (Large) — a Susanna DeSimone original\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-painted Sicilian majolica (tin-glazed earthenware)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Palermo, Sicily\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArtisan:\u003c\/strong\u003e Susanna DeSimone, Fabbrica della Ceramica\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9\" wide\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUse:\u003c\/strong\u003e Planter, serving bowl, or decorative centerpiece\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dishwasher safe · Some collectors prefer hand-washing to preserve color brilliance over decades of use · Not microwave safe · Not oven safe · Food-safe (lead-free glaze)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Each piece signed by Susanna DeSimone; bears the \"Fabbrica della Ceramica\" studio mark\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eQuestions buyers ask\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this watertight as a planter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — the glaze is fully sealed and the piece holds water. You can plant directly into the cachepot or use a small liner to extend the life of the piece if you plan to swap plants over the years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I serve food from a cachepot?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — many of our customers use the larger cachepots as olive bowls, salad bowls, or fruit centerpieces on the table. The glaze is lead-free and food-safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the difference between Susanna DeSimone and Giovanni DeSimone?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGiovanni DeSimone founded the studio in mid-20th-century Palermo and worked alongside Pablo Picasso, who shared his innovation of using bright red in glazed ceramics. Susanna DeSimone is Giovanni's daughter and continues the studio today, now operating as Fabbrica della Ceramica. She paints in a similar cubist-folk style as her father but with her own contemporary palette and signature.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a good Italian gift?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — especially for housewarmings, hostess gifts, birthdays, and lovers of Italian or Sicilian art. Susanna DeSimone pieces are some of the most distinctively Italian objects we carry. We gift-wrap on request, ship nationwide, and have been the San Francisco source for authentic Italian gifts since 1946.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy buy Italian gifts from Biordi rather than other retailers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBiordi Art Imports has been San Francisco's source for authentic Italian ceramics and gifts since 1946. Voted \u003cstrong\u003eBest Overall Retailer\u003c\/strong\u003e in the San Francisco Bay Guardian Best of the Bay readers' poll for \u003cstrong\u003efive consecutive years\u003c\/strong\u003e. Designated a \u003cstrong\u003eSan Francisco Legacy Business\u003c\/strong\u003e (#LBR-2020-21-029), and the city declared \u003cstrong\u003eMay 1 \"Biordi Art Imports Day\"\u003c\/strong\u003e in 2021. Every piece comes from a named Italian artisan, family workshop, or heritage house we work with directly — FIMA, CF Deruta, Pia Formato, Eugenio Ricciarelli, Susanna DeSimone, Geribi, Bucci Ceramiche, Ortigia Sicilia, Italesse, and Salviati. So each piece is genuinely one-of-a-kind. Not a stock-photo listing, not a mass-produced import, not a reproduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eARTISAN STORY\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Susanna DeSimone artistic tradition was founded in Palermo, Sicily, by her father \u003cstrong\u003eGiovanni DeSimone\u003c\/strong\u003e — a renowned and innovative artisan known for intense colors and a cubist drawing style similar to Pablo Picasso. Early in his career, Giovanni DeSimone worked alongside Picasso, and the two shared an innovation: the use of bright red in glazed ceramics, which Picasso loved. \u003cem\u003e\"I express what comes through my imagination, filtering old and new memories, comparing my experiences and my understanding,\"\u003c\/em\u003e Giovanni DeSimone wrote in 1991.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBiordi Art Imports was the first US distributor of Giovanni DeSimone's work\u003c\/strong\u003e — a relationship that began in the studio's earliest years in America and continues today with his daughter, \u003cstrong\u003eSusanna DeSimone\u003c\/strong\u003e, who carries the tradition forward. Her limited production bears her signature alongside the studio's new name, \u003cstrong\u003eFabbrica della Ceramica\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DE SIMONE","offers":[{"title":"9\" x 8\"","offer_id":32345183846453,"sku":"2952","price":280.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/9802\/products\/1_DeSimone_Cachepot_Lion.jpg?v=1600660188"},{"product_id":"champagne-bucket-with-24-karat-gold-rings","title":"Champagne Bucket with 24 Karat Gold Rings","description":"\u003ch4\u003eDESCRIPTION\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis champagne bucket handcrafted by Antonio in Castelli, is adorned with 24 karat gold rings. Perfect for that bottle of champagne, wine or used as a vase or planter. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\" color=\"#000000\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe small imperfections such as the difference in color, shape, diameter or small bubbles that form inside, do not constitute a defect but testify that it is actually an artisanal product.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eARTISAN STORY\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastelli, precariously perched on a capricious ridge of the Apennines. In the shadow of Gran Sasso works Antonio Di Francesco, shaping the same earth that occasionally wobbles his wheel and studio. Antonio’s works and the views – breathtaking!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"IDEART","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40082969002037,"sku":"4082","price":225.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/9802\/products\/image_bb4858a7-e903-4b5c-9832-9f5c4541a153.jpg?v=1661386809"},{"product_id":"ceramiche-darte-dolfi-calla-lily-sculpture-vase","title":"Ceramiche D'arte Dolfi Lemon Wine Vase","description":"\u003ch4\u003eDESCRIPTION\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTESTA D'ARTE\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis d'arte ceramic lemon chiller\/vessel is hand crafted by Ivana Dolfi in Montelupo, Italy. These modern art pieces are handmade sculptures and can be used as a wine holder, vase or simply stunning piece of art. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEach Testa d'Arte (Head of Art) is a unique, one of a kind piece.    \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe modern art piece is a statue and also a planter. The Italian ceramiche detail is all hand made and painted, a unique, one of a kind piece.    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe small imperfections such as the difference in color, shape, diameter or small bubbles that form inside, do not constitute a defect but testify that it is actually an artisanal product.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eARTISAN STORY\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Dolfi family, a famous family in Tuscany, has been producing Italian Majolica for many generations. Ivana Dolfi, one of the most innovative and talented artisans in Florence produces unique ceramics. Ivana’s father was considered the best artisan in Tuscany in his time. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ivana Dolfi","offers":[{"title":"9” x 8”","offer_id":40948030242869,"sku":"4455","price":320.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/9802\/products\/20220514_022608743_iOS.jpg?v=1652496893"},{"product_id":"ricco-deruta-large-planter-cama-ceramiche","title":"VINTAGE AND COLLECTIBLES Ricco Deruta Large Planter — CAMA Ceramiche","description":"\u003ch4\u003eDESCRIPTION\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"652\" data-start=\"275\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"294\" data-start=\"257\"\u003eFrom a private Italian collection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"297\" data-start=\"294\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"334\" data-start=\"297\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"264\" data-start=\"225\"\u003eCurated artisan ceramic centerpiece\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"267\" data-start=\"264\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"304\" data-start=\"267\"\u003eHandcrafted by Cama in Italy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"326\" data-start=\"283\"\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"326\" data-start=\"283\"\u003eRare Italian Maiolica | Collector’s Piece\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"330\" data-end=\"663\"\u003eThis \u003cstrong data-start=\"335\" data-end=\"365\"\u003eRicco Deruta Large Planter\u003c\/strong\u003e is an authentic surviving work from \u003cstrong data-start=\"402\" data-end=\"420\"\u003eCAMA Ceramiche\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of Deruta’s most respected ceramic cooperatives of the 20th century. Handcrafted and hand-painted in Italy prior to the workshop’s closure in 2011, this planter represents a completed and irreplaceable chapter in Italian ceramic history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"665\" data-end=\"1103\"\u003eExecuted in the classical \u003cstrong data-start=\"691\" data-end=\"707\"\u003eRicco Deruta\u003c\/strong\u003e tradition, the planter is richly adorned with Renaissance-inspired scrollwork, stylized floral motifs, and symmetrical medallions painted freehand in cobalt blue, deep green, warm ochre, and golden yellow. The generously proportioned form—traditionally used for herbs, citrus, or decorative plants—reflects the Italian philosophy that even utilitarian garden objects should be objects of beauty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1105\" data-end=\"1479\"\u003eBecause \u003cstrong data-start=\"1113\" data-end=\"1160\"\u003eoriginal CAMA pieces are no longer produced\u003c\/strong\u003e, surviving examples such as this large planter are now regarded as \u003cstrong data-start=\"1228\" data-end=\"1250\"\u003ehistorical objects\u003c\/strong\u003e—tangible links to a moment when craftsmanship, community, and cultural continuity guided production. Subtle variations in brushwork and glaze attest to the hand of the artisan, ensuring that no two pieces are ever exactly alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1481\" data-end=\"1684\"\u003eHighly sought after by collectors of Italian ceramics, this planter stands at the intersection of art, architecture, and daily life—equally at home in a curated interior, conservatory, or garden setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1686\" data-end=\"1788\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1686\" data-end=\"1788\"\u003eA rare opportunity to acquire a museum-worthy example of Ricco Deruta maiolica in monumental form.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1790\" data-end=\"1793\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"1795\" data-end=\"1829\"\u003eWhy This Planter Is Collectible\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1831\" data-end=\"2118\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1831\" data-end=\"1885\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1833\" data-end=\"1885\"\u003eProduced by CAMA Ceramiche (1954–2011), now closed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1886\" data-end=\"1937\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1888\" data-end=\"1937\"\u003eFinite and diminishing number of original works\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1938\" data-end=\"2002\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1940\" data-end=\"2002\"\u003eClassic Ricco Deruta pattern rooted in Renaissance tradition\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2003\" data-end=\"2047\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2005\" data-end=\"2047\"\u003eHand-painted Italian tin-glazed maiolica\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2048\" data-end=\"2118\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2050\" data-end=\"2118\"\u003eStrong and growing collector demand for documented Deruta ceramics\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1795\" data-end=\"2079\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1967\" data-end=\"2011\"\u003ePristine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"2113\" data-start=\"1829\"\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"2234\" data-start=\"1952\"\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"3148\" data-start=\"2877\"\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"2109\" data-start=\"1842\"\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"2007\" data-start=\"1737\"\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"1936\" data-start=\"1648\"\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"1605\" data-start=\"1530\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1605\" data-start=\"1530\"\u003eOwn a piece of Deruta’s legacy—bring home CAMA original today.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe small imperfections such as the difference in color, shape, diameter or small bubbles that form inside, do not constitute a defect but testify that it is actually an artisanal product.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eARTISAN STORY\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"360\" data-end=\"422\"\u003eThe Heritage of \u003cstrong data-start=\"379\" data-end=\"420\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eCAMA Ceramiche\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"423\" data-end=\"468\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"423\" data-end=\"468\"\u003eDeruta, Umbria — Founded 1954 · Closed 2011\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"470\" data-end=\"701\"\u003eIn the storied hill town of \u003cstrong data-start=\"498\" data-end=\"539\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eDeruta\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, where ceramic tradition has flourished since the Middle Ages, \u003cstrong data-start=\"603\" data-end=\"621\"\u003eCAMA Ceramiche\u003c\/strong\u003e stood for more than half a century as a guardian of authentic Italian maiolica.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"703\" data-end=\"1114\"\u003eFounded in \u003cstrong data-start=\"714\" data-end=\"722\"\u003e1954\u003c\/strong\u003e, CAMA—an acronym for \u003cem data-start=\"744\" data-end=\"788\"\u003eCooperativa Artigiana Maioliche Artistiche\u003c\/em\u003e—was established as an artisan cooperative at a time when Italy was rebuilding its cultural and economic identity after the war. Rather than pursuing industrial production, CAMA was built on a collective philosophy: to preserve handcraft, protect artisan livelihoods, and uphold the visual language of classic Deruta ceramics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1116\" data-end=\"1573\"\u003eFrom its earliest years, CAMA became known for its commitment to \u003cstrong data-start=\"1181\" data-end=\"1216\"\u003etraditional tin-glazed majolica\u003c\/strong\u003e, using time-honored techniques that date back to the Renaissance. Each piece began as carefully prepared clay, shaped by hand or traditional molds, then fired, glazed in luminous white, and meticulously painted freehand with mineral pigments. No stencils. No shortcuts. Only the steady hand of a trained painter and the discipline of centuries-old methods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1575\" data-end=\"1622\"\u003eA Workshop Defined by Artists, Not Machines\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1624\" data-end=\"1989\"\u003eFor decades, CAMA was closely associated with the \u003cstrong data-start=\"1674\" data-end=\"1693\"\u003eNiccacci family\u003c\/strong\u003e, whose leadership and artistic vision helped define the workshop’s identity. Under their stewardship, CAMA produced tableware and decorative pieces that were both functional and expressive—ceramics meant to live on the table, not behind glass, yet beautiful enough to be collected and cherished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1991\" data-end=\"2320\"\u003eCAMA’s designs drew deeply from Deruta’s classical vocabulary: scrolling foliage, balanced florals, mythic creatures, and rhythmic patterning rendered in rich blues, greens, ochres, and yellows. The now-recognizable \u003cstrong data-start=\"2207\" data-end=\"2221\"\u003eyellow rim\u003c\/strong\u003e, seen across many CAMA forms, became a quiet signature—warm, optimistic, and unmistakably Italian.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2322\" data-end=\"2640\"\u003eWhile rooted in tradition, CAMA was never static. Its painters brought individuality to every piece, resulting in subtle variations that collectors quickly learned to recognize and value. These differences were not flaws, but proof of authenticity—evidence that each bowl, plate, or cup had passed through human hands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2642\" data-end=\"2693\"\u003eInternational Recognition and Cultural Presence\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2695\" data-end=\"2995\"\u003eBy the late 20th century, CAMA Ceramiche had earned a devoted international following, particularly in the United States. Their work appeared in influential cookbooks, lifestyle publications, and even popular film—cementing CAMA’s reputation as a symbol of Italian conviviality and everyday elegance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2997\" data-end=\"3300\"\u003eAmerican collectors formed lasting relationships with the workshop, some visiting Deruta repeatedly to meet the artisans and commission pieces. These relationships outlived the company itself, giving rise to informal preservation efforts and collector communities dedicated to documenting CAMA’s legacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3302\" data-end=\"3344\"\u003eThe End of a Workshop, Not a Tradition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3346\" data-end=\"3678\"\u003eDespite its artistic success, \u003cstrong data-start=\"3376\" data-end=\"3409\"\u003eCAMA Ceramiche closed in 2011\u003c\/strong\u003e, after 57 years of production. Like many historic artisan workshops, it faced mounting economic pressures, shifting global markets, and the growing dominance of mass production. Attempts to restructure or continue the cooperative model ultimately proved unsustainable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3680\" data-end=\"3760\"\u003eYet CAMA’s closure marked the end of a workshop—not the end of its significance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3762\" data-end=\"4064\"\u003eToday, \u003cstrong data-start=\"3769\" data-end=\"3816\"\u003eoriginal CAMA pieces are no longer produced\u003c\/strong\u003e, making surviving examples increasingly sought after by collectors of Italian ceramics. Each bowl or cup that remains is now a historical object: a tangible link to a moment when craftsmanship, community, and cultural continuity guided production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"4066\" data-end=\"4092\"\u003eWhy CAMA Matters Today\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4094\" data-end=\"4271\"\u003eIn an era defined by speed and replication, CAMA Ceramiche represents something rare:\u003cbr data-start=\"4179\" data-end=\"4182\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4182\" data-end=\"4223\"\u003ea complete, intact artisan philosophy\u003c\/strong\u003e—from material to motif, from workshop to table.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4273\" data-end=\"4495\"\u003eOwning a CAMA piece is not simply owning Italian ceramics. It is preserving a chapter of Deruta’s living history, a cooperative model of craftsmanship, and a standard of beauty shaped by patience, skill, and shared values.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4497\" data-end=\"4589\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4497\" data-end=\"4589\"\u003eCAMA Ceramiche (1954–2011).\u003cbr data-start=\"4526\" data-end=\"4529\"\u003eMade by hand. Meant to be used. Remembered with reverence.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"643\" data-start=\"188\"\u003eIn the hilltop town of \u003cstrong data-end=\"228\" data-start=\"211\"\u003eDeruta, Italy\u003c\/strong\u003e—the heart of Italian maiolica pottery for over 500 years—few names carry as much prestige and reverence as \u003cstrong data-end=\"351\" data-start=\"336\"\u003eFranco Mari\u003c\/strong\u003e. A master artisan, painter, and designer, Franco Mari has become internationally renowned for his dedication to traditional \u003cstrong data-end=\"508\" data-start=\"476\"\u003ehand-painted Deruta ceramics\u003c\/strong\u003e, his exceptional attention to detail, and his unique artistic vision that honors the past while inspiring collectors around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"1160\" data-start=\"645\"\u003eWith a deep respect for \u003cstrong data-end=\"695\" data-start=\"669\"\u003eRenaissance-era motifs\u003c\/strong\u003e and classic Italian forms, Franco Mari is best known for his work with the iconic \u003cstrong data-end=\"802\" data-start=\"778\"\u003eRicco Deruta pattern\u003c\/strong\u003e—a design celebrated for its bold cobalt blues, golden scrolls, and rich greens. Under his brush, this centuries-old motif is revived with remarkable precision, depth, and emotion, making each piece a true work of art. Mari’s studio has become a destination for ceramic connoisseurs and collectors seeking authentic \u003cstrong data-end=\"1136\" data-start=\"1118\"\u003eDeruta pottery\u003c\/strong\u003e of the highest quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"2741\" data-start=\"2491\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CAMA","offers":[{"title":"10\" x 12\".","offer_id":44908952879157,"sku":"6474","price":420.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/9802\/files\/Bazaart_e87b4ddf-693b-4cee-a3e2-a8671387abad.png?v=1768094932"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/9802\/collections\/20220509_210038726_iOS.jpg?v=1652909918","url":"https:\/\/biordi.com\/collections\/planters\/region_sicily+price_-50-100+artisan_susanna-de-simone+price_-100-250.oembed","provider":"Biordi Art Imports","version":"1.0","type":"link"}