Italian Olivewood Condiment Bowls - Set of 4

A set of four small oval bowls turned from Umbrian olivewood, sized for the things that sit on the table alongside the food — olives, capers, flaky salt, grated cheese, chili flakes, a pour of good oil for dipping.

Olivewood comes from trees that are pruned and eventually retired after decades of fruiting, so the wood is dense, slow-grown, and marked with the dark, irregular grain that only comes with age. No two bowls are alike. The grain runs from pale honey to deep amber, and the variation shows even within a single set.

They are shallow by design — made to hold a small amount of something and be passed around, not to serve a course. The wood is naturally closed-grain and resists staining and odor, which is why Italian kitchens have used it for serving pieces for centuries.

The set arrives in a cotton bag, ready to give as is. Mix with Deruta majolica for a table that reads Italian without matching — the warm wood grounds the bright hand-painted patterns.

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.

Dimensions: 4" x 3" oval, approximately 1" deep, each bowl
Material: Umbrian olivewood
Made in: Umbria, Italy
Workshop: Family woodturning workshop in Umbria
Pattern: Natural grain — each bowl unique
Heritage: Umbrian olivewood — the same region as Deruta
Care: Hand-wash only · Dry immediately · Not dishwasher, microwave, or oven safe · Oil occasionally with food-grade mineral oil
Sold as: Set of 4, in a cotton bag
Mixes with: All Deruta majolica patterns, Il Mio Tavolo stoneware, Busatti linens

How big are they, really? Small. Each bowl is about 4" x 3" and an inch deep — the size for olives, nuts, salt, or a dipping pour, not for a salad or a side dish.

Will the bowls all look the same? No. Olivewood grain is unique to each piece, so expect variation in color and figure across the set. That variation is the point.

Can I put oil or vinegar in them? Yes. Olivewood is naturally dense and oil-resistant. Wipe out after use and dry.

How do I care for olivewood? Hand-wash only, in warm water with mild soap, and dry immediately — never leave the wood soaking or sitting wet. Keep it out of the dishwasher, microwave, and oven. When the surface starts to look dry or chalky, rub in a little food-grade mineral oil and let it absorb overnight.

Can they go in the dishwasher? No. Heat and prolonged water will crack the wood.

Does it come ready to give? Yes. The set ships in a cotton bag — no additional wrapping needed.

Where in Italy does the wood come from? Umbria, the same central Italian region as Deruta, where Biordi's hand-painted majolica is made. Umbria is one of Italy's principal olive-growing areas, and the wood comes from trees retired after decades of fruiting.

Is this a good Italian wedding gift? Yes — especially paired with a hand-painted Deruta serving piece. Wood and majolica together make a complete table gift at a moderate price.

Is this a good housewarming or hostess gift? One of the best. Small, useful, immediately in service, arrives gift-ready in its cotton bag, and it suits any kitchen style.

Why buy Italian gifts from Biordi rather than other retailers? Biordi Art Imports has been San Francisco's source for authentic Italian ceramics and tableware since 1946. We're a San Francisco Legacy Business (#LBR-2020-21-029), the City declared May 1 "Biordi Art Imports Day" in 2021, and we were voted Best Overall Retailer in the SF Bay Guardian Best of the Bay reader's poll five years running. Everything we sell is sourced directly from Italian workshops we know by name.

Can this be customized or personalized? Not this piece. Customization and personalization are available on select hand-painted ceramics — Eugenio Ricciarelli, FIMA, Pia Formato, and Geribi accept special orders. Contact Biordi Art Imports at (415) 392-8096 or customerservice@biordi.com.

Umbrian olivewood — Umbria is olive country. The same hills that produce the region's oil produce the wood, because olive trees are only cut once they stop bearing fruit, often after fifty years or more. The wood that comes out of them is hard, tight-grained, and darkly figured, and Umbrian woodturners have shaped it into kitchen and table pieces for centuries.

Umbria — Umbria is also home to Deruta, the hill town that has produced Biordi's hand-painted majolica since 1946. Wood and majolica from the same region sit naturally on the same table.

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.