Christmas Tree Tea Light - Real Gold & Green

A hand-painted Italian Christmas tree tea light, made in Deruta by Ceramiche Favaroni Carlo (CF Deruta). The tree's cut-out stars hold a votive candle inside; lit, the flame projects star-shaped light through the openings, turning the piece into a tabletop centerpiece. Each tree is hand-painted with green base color and real gold paint detail. Because every piece is hand-painted by a single artisan, no two are exactly alike.

Measuring 8" wide by 6" tall and made of hand-painted majolica (tin-glazed earthenware), the tree is the larger of CF Deruta's two Christmas tree formats — the standalone tree-light version designed specifically for a votive candle, rather than the smaller solid mini-tree. Small variations in color, gold-leaf coverage, and shape are signs of authentic hand-painting, not defects. Note: votive candle is not included.

Place on the holiday dining table as a centerpiece, on a mantel for ambient candlelight, or in an entryway as a seasonal welcome. Heirloom-quality and designed to be brought out year after year. A popular Italian-Christmas gift, especially for hosts who already collect Deruta ceramics or want a piece more substantial than an ornament.

Dimensions: 8" wide × 6" tall
Material: Hand-painted majolica (tin-glazed earthenware)
Made in: Deruta, Italy
Workshop: CF Deruta (Ceramiche Favaroni Carlo)
Pattern: Real gold paint on green base, stars cut for candlelight
Use: Holds a standard tea light or votive candle (candle not included)
Care: Decorative ceramic — wipe clean with a soft, slightly damp cloth · Not dishwasher safe · Not microwave safe · Not oven safe · Keep away from temperature extremes
Sold as: Individual piece

Does it come with a candle?
No. The votive candle pictured is for illustration. Any standard tea light or small votive fits.

Is it safe to use with an open flame?
Yes — designed as a tea-light holder. Standard candle safety applies: place on a heat-safe surface, never leave unattended, keep clear of flammable materials.

How big is it?
8 inches wide and 6 inches tall — substantial enough to anchor a holiday centerpiece. (CF Deruta also makes a smaller 5" x 4" solid mini-tree without the candle cut-outs.)

Is the gold real gold?
Yes — CF Deruta uses real gold paint applied by hand and fired. The luster comes through the green base color.

Is it hand-painted in Italy?
Yes. Each piece is hand-painted by a single artisan at the Ceramiche Favaroni Carlo workshop in Deruta, Italy.

Can it go in the dishwasher?
No — this is a decorative ceramic with gold paint and an open form for candles, not food contact. Wipe clean with a soft, damp cloth.

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.

Ceramiche Favaroni Carlo is located in the old town in Deruta. Artisans for decades, this family owned business creates unique hand-painted Italian ceramics.

Since the 1940s, Mr. Salvatore Favaroni has painted in various Deruta factories, creating inspired works following local traditions. In the 1970’s, Mr. Favaroni opened his own laboratory called “Ceramiche Favaroni Deruta” with decorations of flowers, landscape & Castelli characterizing the production.

Salvatore’s decorations were developed without the use of the dusting (spolvero) technique, so each piece is similar but never identical. The first dining table painted in Deruta, on volcanic stone brought directly from a famous company in Caltagirone, was painted by Salvatore, who painted it inspired by the “Decoro Stoffa”, starting what would later be one of the most famous businesses from Deruta. Salvatore’s son Carlo, now runs the family business, called “CF DERUTA”. Today the production of classic decorations, brings traditional designs back to the contemporary in colors & shapes.

CF Deruta produces exceptional holiday décor for 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.