Personalized Ornament - Pia's Raffaellesco [3552]

A hand-painted Italian majolica personalized Christmas ornament from Pia Formato workshop in Deruta, Umbria. Raffaellesco is the classic Deruta pattern attributed to the Renaissance master Raphael — a golden dragon at the center, surrounded by scrollwork in gold and blue. Pia Formato's hand-painted version preserves the traditional Deruta drawing with her own technical refinement.

A hand-painted Italian ceramic Christmas ornament, available with hand-painted personalization — a name, date, or short message.

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.

Size: 3"
Material: Hand-painted majolica (tin-glazed earthenware)
Made in: Deruta, Umbria, Italy
Artisan: Pia Formato (and studio)
Pattern: Pia's Raffaellesco
Care: Dishwasher safe top rack on a gentle cycle (hand-wash for longest life) · Not microwave safe · Not oven safe · Food safe
Sold as: Individual piece
Coordinates with: Other Pia Raffaellesco pieces and FIMA's classic Raffaellesco dinnerware (the gold and blue palettes coordinate naturally)

What is Raffaellesco?
Raffaellesco is one of Deruta's most iconic patterns — attributed to the Renaissance master Raphael. The centerpiece is a golden dragon surrounded by gold and blue scrollwork. It dates to the 16th century and remains one of the most-collected designs in Italian ceramics.

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.

Pia Formato — Deruta, Umbria. In the old town of Deruta, nestled on the hilltop, stands Pia Formato's ceramic shop. Pia is a master glazer known for her grand technical grasp, innovative designs, and uncommonly vibrant colors. She began over twenty years ago with her interpretation of Eugenio Ricciarelli's geometric patterns. What has now become known as "Pia's Red" is a vibrant red that results from a great deal of professional glazing skill. Her larger pieces are produced one at a time — true Pia Formato originals, hand-painted in her Deruta studio.

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.