The Italian products are known for their durability and good quality, and they come in various forms. Italian ceramics and pottery are manufactured traditionally. Italian ceramics became popular during the renaissance period, and products branded as maiolica, Bitossi and Deruta were among the finest designs, and up to date, they are still authentic products. With high technology, people are producing their Italian imitations that are fake but easy to confuse you if you are not keen. Below are some tips to ensure you purchase an authentic Italian ceramic.
Check the Glaze
During the formation of the Italian Pottery, each item is immersed in a white liquid glaze, preventing the paint from extending to unwanted areas. The graze should be eliminated from the bottom of the thing before subjecting it to heat, preventing it from sticking onto the shelf. This means that every Italian ceramic has a glazed base showing the natural appearance of the item’s first filled clay. The glaze is a brown-orange color and sometimes white according to the clay color used. To identify an original Italian ceramic, you can touch the base to feel the rough glaze.
Mark
All pottery and ceramic products from Italy have a mark that proves the item is entirely handmade. Always check if the product has the name of the country, origin, or the artist’s name. Usually, the standard terms are ‘dip’. A mano’ on the base, which means that it’s hand-painted. If the ceramic or pottery lacks a mark, consider not purchasing.
Strokes
These handmade ceramics are painted using brushes. You can easily spot brush strokes on the decorations, especially Deruta pottery. This also explains why there aren’t two identical Italian ceramics, and the only similar decorations have a slight difference. If decorations look too perfect, that’s the first sign that the item is compromised.
With the tips mentioned above, it can be easy to identify authentic Italian ceramics. Most Italian products are a little expensive, so it’s probably not original if you find an Italian labeled ceramic being sold at a throw-away price. You can visit various stores in your region and use the mentioned tips to try finding authentic products.