If you have ever seen brightly glazed pottery covered in gorgeous patterns you know how beautiful ceramic pieces can be. Chances are, if the colors were bright and featured images such as animals, fruit or flowers there is a strong possibility it was Italian pottery. It has a distinctive color scheme and decorating style that is both recognizable and appealing and it is no wonder that so many people choose to have these items in their homes.
Collecting and displaying ceramic pieces is nothing new. Every culture that makes these items has turned them into art pieces that are functional as well as beautiful. Pottery is made by shaping clay into different things such as plates, cups and serving pieces. Colored glazes are applied to create patterns and heat is used to harden the surface. This protects against damage and keeps the colors looking beautiful even after it is exposed to liquids.
If you are someone who has collected pottery for an extended period of time it is usually possible to tell where a piece was created. This is because artisans living in a specific geographic areas or during specific time periods tend to use similar color schemes, decorative elements, and carving or painting techniques that are easy to recognize. If you see a particular element that you like it may be worthwhile to find out where the piece that interests you was created so that you can find other pieces that look the same.
One thing that makes pottery from Italy so recognizable is the bright color schemes that are used. Some pieces that originate from other parts of the world may use pale, diluted colors but Italian items tend to be much more strongly colored. Yellow is a popular color and is used as both an accent color and a background color depending on the decorating scheme.
Some collectors choose to feature a specific region or village in their collections. A collection of Tuscan pieces may look very different than one that features only pottery items that were made in Umbria or Abruzzo. If you are considering starting your collection in this way it may be worthwhile to read up a bit on each area and look at pictures of the items created there so that you know which appeal to you most.
Some individuals may want to add strongly colored items to their collections but may not know how to do so without making the collection compete with items around it. If you are concerned about that, look for pieces that are colored to compliment your other decorative elements. For example, pulling an accent color out of a small decorative element will help keep your collection looking like it was always meant to be there.
If authenticity is something that is important to you then building your collection may involve more research than if you simply want the look. Many pieces are being imported from Asia or other areas rather than coming directly from Italy. You may want to make sure you are dealing with reputable websites when shopping for pottery items.
Many people worry about damaging their pieces and so do not use them as often as they may want to. If this is the case with you it is a good idea to check for any care instructions before cleaning your items. If they are very old or extremely fragile you may not have any choice but to hand wash them but newer pieces are beginning to become more durable and easier to wash in a dishwasher instead of by hand.
Collecting and displaying ceramic pieces is nothing new. Every culture that makes these items has turned them into art pieces that are functional as well as beautiful. Pottery is made by shaping clay into different things such as plates, cups and serving pieces. Colored glazes are applied to create patterns and heat is used to harden the surface. This protects against damage and keeps the colors looking beautiful even after it is exposed to liquids.
If you are someone who has collected pottery for an extended period of time it is usually possible to tell where a piece was created. This is because artisans living in a specific geographic areas or during specific time periods tend to use similar color schemes, decorative elements, and carving or painting techniques that are easy to recognize. If you see a particular element that you like it may be worthwhile to find out where the piece that interests you was created so that you can find other pieces that look the same.
One thing that makes pottery from Italy so recognizable is the bright color schemes that are used. Some pieces that originate from other parts of the world may use pale, diluted colors but Italian items tend to be much more strongly colored. Yellow is a popular color and is used as both an accent color and a background color depending on the decorating scheme.
Some collectors choose to feature a specific region or village in their collections. A collection of Tuscan pieces may look very different than one that features only pottery items that were made in Umbria or Abruzzo. If you are considering starting your collection in this way it may be worthwhile to read up a bit on each area and look at pictures of the items created there so that you know which appeal to you most.
Some individuals may want to add strongly colored items to their collections but may not know how to do so without making the collection compete with items around it. If you are concerned about that, look for pieces that are colored to compliment your other decorative elements. For example, pulling an accent color out of a small decorative element will help keep your collection looking like it was always meant to be there.
If authenticity is something that is important to you then building your collection may involve more research than if you simply want the look. Many pieces are being imported from Asia or other areas rather than coming directly from Italy. You may want to make sure you are dealing with reputable websites when shopping for pottery items.
Many people worry about damaging their pieces and so do not use them as often as they may want to. If this is the case with you it is a good idea to check for any care instructions before cleaning your items. If they are very old or extremely fragile you may not have any choice but to hand wash them but newer pieces are beginning to become more durable and easier to wash in a dishwasher instead of by hand.
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You can get a detailed list of the things to keep in mind when purchasing Italian pottery at http://www.intradaitaly.com right now.
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