Vignoli Modern Italian Handcrafted Espresso Cup Design 2

A handcrafted espresso cup by the Vignoli sisters of Faenza, hand-painted with an anchovy design and finished in copper. 2.5" tall by 3.25" wide — the right size for a proper espresso or macchiato, and useful for sake, a small dessert, or olives.

The copper is the reason to look twice. Saura and Ivana Vignoli use a glazing and firing technique that brings a metallic sheen up out of the surface after firing, so the finish shifts as the light moves across it. No two cups come out alike.

The numbered designs are all different compositions of the fish motif, so a set of mixed numbers relates without repeating. These pair naturally with Graffeo Coffee, the North Beach roaster Biordi carries.

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: 2.5"h x 3.25"w
Material: Hand-painted Italian ceramic with copper glaze
Made in: Faenza, Emilia-Romagna
Workshop: Vignoli — Saura and Ivana Vignoli
Pattern: Anchovy design, Cup 2
Heritage: Faenza, where ceramics have been an economic backbone of the region for five centuries
Care: Hand-wash recommended · Not dishwasher, microwave or oven safe
Sold as: individual, one-of-a-kind
Mixes with: other Vignoli pieces, Graffeo Coffee, plain white

Does it come with a saucer?
The cup is sold on its own. Vignoli plates in the same copper finish work as a saucer if you want the pair.

How do the numbered designs differ?
Each number is a different composition of the fish motif. A set of mixed numbers relates without repeating — which is how most people buy them.

What size espresso does it hold?
At 2.5" x 3.25" it takes a single or double shot comfortably — it is a true espresso cup, not a demitasse-sized decorative piece.

Can it go in the dishwasher?
No. Hand-wash — copper-glazed surfaces do not belong in a dishwasher.

Is this a good Italian wedding gift?
Yes, as a set of two or four. Espresso cups are a gift couples remember using rather than storing.

Is this a good housewarming or hostess gift?
Yes, and a pair of them with a bag of Graffeo coffee is one of the easiest gifts in the shop.

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.

Can this be customized or personalized?
Vignoli pieces are one-of-a-kind and are not 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.

Copper sheen — The Vignoli sisters use a particular combination of glazes and firing to draw a luminous copper finish out of the surface. Because the result depends on the firing, every piece comes out as unique as a fingerprint.

Vignoli, Faenza (Emilia-Romagna) — Saura and Ivana Vignoli are Biordi's most artistic pair of ceramicists. Their geometric patterns and fish designs, paired with the copper finish, give a modern Italian aesthetic that sits apart from traditional majolica. The Vignoli pattern is part of Biordi's Faenza collection — a town where ceramics formed an economic backbone of the region for five centuries.

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.