Collectible Majolica Rooster Pitcher B-40

A hand-painted majolica rooster pitcher, made in Deruta by master artisan Eugenio Ricciarelli in his B-40 rooster design. 1-quart capacity — a real working pitcher, sized for water, wine, or lemonade at the table. The pitcher is one of the most recognizable pieces in Eugenio's catalog: a rooster (gallo) painted in his signature deep blues, gold, and warm accents.

The rooster has been a signature motif in Italian majolica for centuries — read as a symbol of good fortune, watchfulness, and household abundance. Eugenio's interpretation in B-40 is one of Biordi's most beloved pitcher designs.

Every line is painted freehand without the spolvero (dusting) technique used for reproduction, so each rooster pitcher is genuinely one-of-a-kind. Pairs with the B-40 mug. Works equally well as a daily-use pitcher or as a standalone display piece on a sideboard or open shelf.

Use it for water and wine at the table, lemonade on the patio, or set it out empty as a piece of Italian ceramic art. A serious wedding, anniversary, or housewarming gift — one of the pieces guests notice immediately. Add Florentine gift wrap at checkout.

The 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.

Capacity: 1 quart
Material: Hand-painted majolica (tin-glazed earthenware)
Made in: Deruta, Italy
Artisan: Eugenio Ricciarelli
Pattern: B-40 — rooster (gallo) design in Eugenio's signature deep blues and gold
Care: Hand-wash recommended · Not microwave safe · Not oven safe · Food safe (lead-free glaze)
Sold as: Individual; one-of-a-kind hand-painted piece
Availability: In stock; special order 3–6 months

What is the B-40 pattern?
Eugenio's rooster design — the rooster (gallo) is a traditional Italian ceramic motif read as a symbol of good fortune, watchfulness, and household abundance. B-40 is the workshop pattern number.

Is this a working pitcher or a display piece?
Both. At 1 quart, it's a real serving pitcher for water, wine, or lemonade. Many owners use it daily and also display it when not in use.

Is there a matching mug?
Yes — the B-40 mug is sold separately.

Can I special-order matching pieces?
Yes. Eugenio takes special orders in any of his 12 simplified patterns and 65 full designs. Allow 3–6 months. Personalization (name, occasion) is available.

Is it food safe?
Yes — lead-free, food-safe majolica glaze.

Is this a good Italian wedding gift?
Yes — wedding gifts are one of the things Biordi is best known for. Hand-painted Italian ceramics are heirloom-quality, one-of-a-kind (no two pieces are ever exactly alike because each is hand-painted by a single artisan), and they carry their origin clearly: this piece is made in Deruta, Italy. Couples actually use and display Biordi pieces rather than store them. We ship nationwide, gift-wrap on request, and have been the San Francisco source for authentic Italian ceramics since 1946.

Is this a good housewarming or hostess gift?
Yes. Gifts are the largest part of what Biordi sells — every piece is a one-of-a-kind, authentic Italian treasure made by a named artisan in Italy, not a mass-produced import. Arrives ready to use rather than store. Add Florentine gift wrap at checkout if you'd like it sent finished.

Why buy Italian gifts from Biordi rather than other retailers?
Biordi Art Imports has been San Francisco's source for authentic Italian ceramics and gifts since 1946. Voted Best Overall Retailer in the San Francisco Bay Guardian Best of the Bay readers' poll for five consecutive years. Designated a San Francisco Legacy Business (#LBR-2020-21-029), and the city declared May 1 "Biordi Art Imports Day" 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 (from the famous Palermo ceramic family — her father painted with Picasso), 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.

Can this be customized or personalized?
Customization and personalization are available on select pieces. Eugenio Ricciarelli, FIMA, Pia Formato, Geribi, and CF Deruta accept special orders — a name, date, or occasion painted on the piece, or a different size or shape in the workshop's existing pattern. Lead time is typically 3–6 months because each piece is hand-painted to order in Italy. Contact Biordi Art Imports at (415) 392-8096 or customerservice@biordi.com.

B-40 Rooster Pitcher — The Legend of "Il Buon Gallo"

The origin of Rooster Pitchers dates to the early Renaissance period (15th century) in the Republic of Florence. The Medicis were the ruling family in Florence, and as the wealthiest and most powerful, the Medici family had a lot to celebrate. And celebrate they did!

There was a rivalry, a power struggle with another leading Florence family, the Pazzis, who also had strong influence in Florence and resented the Medicis and vowed to overthrow the dynasty. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to murder the Medicis, the Pazzis enlisted a double agent to convince the Medicis to host one of their lavish parties in the village of Gallina, where they would assassinate Giuliano Medici. They waited until the Medici family members and their guards were inebriated and then would attack.

As the Pazzi assassins were in the outskirts of the village, they came upon a field of roosters, and upon crossing them, the roosters crowed. The Medici guardsmen awoke and were able to defend the Medicis and capture the assassins.

The next day, the Medicis ordered the artisans to pay homage to the roosters and create ceramic pitchers modeled in the roosters' image. These ceramic roosters were used as wine vessels as the Medicis celebrated their good fortunes.

After the fortuitous turn of events on that evening in 1478, the Medicis sent each of the families of Gallina a ceramic rooster as a symbol of good luck. The ceramic rooster pitcher was very popular over the subsequent 16th century and today is a tradition many Italian families continue to enjoy. Often, the Italian ceramic rooster pitcher is given as a wedding or housewarming gift, or as a gesture of goodwill.

"Il Buon Gallo" or "Good Rooster" has become a symbol of luck, abundance and prosperity.

Eugenio Ricciarelli, Deruta — Eugenio Ricciarelli is one of the most beloved artisans in Deruta. Eugenio began working at 13 in a painting factory. He then became an apprentice for the esteemed Franco Mari, eventually running Franco Mari's studio for many years. Eugenio, known for his geometric designs and hues of blue, produces his works in 12 simplified patterns and 65 full designs. They are available by "special order" in any of his patterns, dish size, mug, goblet or cup and saucer set you choose. We recommend mixing different patterns when collecting these plates. Typically, allow Eugenio 3 to 6 months to complete your special orders – as each piece is made for you, and can also be personalized with your name and/or the occasion.

Italian ceramics are heirloom quality products, and can last lifetime with proper care. We have some suggestions that will preserve your majolica for years to come.

Majolica is dishwasher safe, but many people choose to hand wash their pieces as a precaution. Because majolica is a porous material, some pieces are not meant to hold liquid for a long period of time. Check for warning labels before ordering a product, as the pieces that are most notorious for "sweating" are appropriately labeled.

Majolica is sensitive to extreme temperatures, specifically boiling or freezing liquids. Pouring water with a rolling boil directly into a teapot, for example, may lead to breakage. To avoid this, temper the object. The industry standard is 620 degrees Celsius (1,148 degrees Fahrenheit). Quench the glass to cool it.

Crazing is common in well used majolica. The tiny cracks in the glaze do not affect the functionality of your majolica.

Majolica hand-crafted products should not be microwaved, as it may crack and/or break the ceramics.

UPS Ground

Flat shipping charge of $10 for each shipment of merchandise under $100.00. For orders of $100.00 or more, shipping is 10% of the order total.

UPS Next Day Air

Flat shipping charge of $63 for each shipment of merchandise under $70.00. For orders of $70.00 or more, shipping is 90% of the order total.

UPS 2-Day Priority (Rush Shipping)

Flat shipping charge of $42 for each shipment of merchandise under $70.00. For orders of $70.00 or more, shipping is 60% of the order total. Note: This option is required for shipping to Alaska and Hawaii.

USPS 3-Day Priority

Flat shipping charge of $21 for each shipment of merchandise under $70.00. For orders of $70.00 or more, shipping is 30% of the order total.

International Shipments

Please contact us at customerservice@biordi.com or call us at (415) 392-8096 for quotes to ship internationally.

You will be charged a rate based on your delivery area, value and shipping preference. For items shipped via UPS, see below for information pricing information. Once the package is shipped, you will receive an email with tracking information to track your package.