Frutta: Creamer

A hand-painted creamer in the Frutta pattern, made in Castelli, Abruzzo. Frutta is a fruit design painted for several generations by the Pardi family of Castelli.

Castelli matters more at Biordi than at any other shop carrying Italian ceramics: it is the town Emilio Biordi came from before he founded Biordi Art Imports in San Francisco in 1946. A Frutta piece is from the founder's own town.

The creamer is the piece people add last and use most. It works with the full Frutta service and sits comfortably on a table of Rosa or plain white.

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.

Material: Hand-painted Castelli majolica
Made in: Castelli, Abruzzo
Workshop: Painted by the Pardi family of Castelli
Pattern: Frutta — a traditional Castelli fruit design
Heritage: Castelli, in the Apennines below the Gran Sasso, and the home town of Biordi founder Emilio Biordi
Care: Hand-wash recommended · Food safe · Not dishwasher, microwave or oven safe
Sold as: individual
Mixes with: the full Frutta service, Rosa, and plain white dinnerware

Where does the Frutta pattern come from?
Castelli, a small town on a ridge of the Apennines in Abruzzo and one of Italy's most celebrated ceramic centers for centuries. The Pardi family has painted these designs there for several generations.

Why does Biordi carry so much from Castelli?
Because Emilio Biordi, who founded the shop in San Francisco in 1946, came from Castelli. The Castelli pieces are the closest thing in the store to a family connection.

Can it go in the dishwasher?
Hand-washing is recommended. Castelli majolica is food safe but should not go in the dishwasher, the microwave or the oven.

Is this a good Christmas gift?
Yes. A Frutta creamer hand-painted by the Pardi family in Castelli comes out with coffee and dessert at the holiday table every year, and it is a thoughtful gift for someone who already owns Italian dinnerware. Order by December 15, 2026 for ground shipping in time for Christmas, or add Florentine gift wrap at checkout and we'll send it ready to give.

Is this a good Italian wedding gift?
On its own it is a small piece. It works best added to a Frutta place setting or serving piece — or as the thing that completes a service a couple already started.

Is this a good housewarming or hostess gift?
Yes, particularly for someone who already owns Italian dinnerware and is missing the small pieces.

Why buy Italian gifts from Biordi rather than other retailers?
Biordi Art Imports has been San Francisco's source for authentic Italian ceramics since 1946 and is a San Francisco Legacy Business (#LBR-2020-21-029). Pieces are bought directly from the Italian workshops that make them — FIMA, CF Deruta, Pia Formato, Eugenio Ricciarelli, Susanna DeSimone, Geribi, Bucci Ceramiche, Ortigia Sicilia, Italesse, and Salviati among them. Nothing comes through a distributor, and staff can tell you who painted your piece and where.

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.

Frutta — A fruit pattern of Castelli origin, painted for several generations by the Pardi family.

Castelli, Abruzzo — Castelli sits on a ridge of the Apennines in the shadow of the Gran Sasso and has been one of Italy's most celebrated ceramic towns for centuries. It is also the town Emilio Biordi came from, the founder of Biordi Art Imports.

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.