As an Italian, when I have to write in English or talk with 1 of my American Prospects I am consistently uncertain: really should I say Italian Pottery, Italian Ceramics or Italian Majolica?
In order to do away with any doubt, I did some investigation and ran some tests.
I learned very a lot on the subject and I would like to share my findings with you.
Let's start out with technicalities.
Here is a short critique of the definition of the words Ceramics, Pottery and Majolica. When we know exactly what we are talking about, we will define what they actually mean to many people.
CERAMICS
Ceramic is the most general term. It is derived from the Greek word keramos, which means "clay".
Historically, ceramics were prepared by shaping clay, decorating it, usually glazing it and firing it at high temperatures in a kiln.
Nevertheless, this definition has changed. The term ceramics now refers to a diverse group of supplies, such as cements and glass. Even though all are fired at high temperatures, clay is no longer a important component of ceramics.
That is why, today, the category ceramics technically consists of both pottery and porcelain, which, with their normal formulas, have come to popularly represent good quality grades.
POTTERY
Pottery is an ornamental or helpful ware shaped from moist clay and hardened by heat.
The type of clay made use of and the temperature at which it is fired give pottery a diverse appearance and strength. There are 3 important pottery forms.
- Earthenware It is also know as bisque or biscuit and it is fired at low temperatures - 1800°to 2100° Fahrenheit. It is normally reddish or white. Due to its high porosity, earthenware ought to often be glazed to enable it to hold water. Earthenware pieces have been located that date back to 1400-1200 BC, producing this craft the oldest pottery in history.
- Stoneware It is created of a heavier clay mixture, which can be fired at much higher temperatures - 2200° to 2400° Fahrenheit. It is dense, impermeable and difficult sufficient to resist scratching by a steel point. It's brownish gray and it can be implemented each blazed and unglazed. Ideal for cooking and baking.
- Porcelain It's created of a particular clay, containing kaolinite, and it is fired at high temperatures - 2200° to 2500° Fahrenheit. It is tough, impermeable (even prior to glazing), white, translucent and resonant.
MAJOLICAMajolica - also spelled Maiolica - is the fabulous ware ready by tin-glazing earthenware and firing it a second time. Following the initial firing, the bisque is dipped into a bath of rapidly drying liquid glaze.
When dry, the glazed piece is ready to be hand painted. A final firing at 1690° Fahrenheit will make the glaze interact with the metal oxides utilised by the painter to build the deep and brilliant translucent colors particular to majolica.
This strategy originates in the Middle East in the 9th century. By the 13th century majolica ware was imported into Italy by means of the Isle of Majorca, headquarter of the trade between Spain and Italy.
The Italians referred to as it Maiolica, erroneously thinking it was produced in Majorca. They had been fascinated by this new way of creating ceramics and soon began to copy the approach, adapting it by their personal creativity and traditions. The rise of Italian majolica in Europe was rapidly and reached its peak of artistic good quality throughout central Italy in the course of the Renaissance - late 15th and early 16th centuries.
Nowadays, in English the word Majolica is put to use to refer to ceramic ware in the stylistic tradition of the Italian Renaissance.
A large step ahead.
Now I know that I collect and sell Pottery, especially Earthenware, largely Italian majolica.
The original question is nevertheless unanswered, although. I nonetheless do not know what I should certainly call my beloved ware when talking to my American buddies. Having rejected the use of Earthenware, given that the word is by far too technical, I tested working with the term .
Only museum staff or professionals understood what I meant, and several of them figured I was taking about istoriato Renaissance ware, even though I had in mind contemporary Italian majolica pieces.
As the subsequent step I tested the phrase .
The outcome was fantastic, everyone knew I was talking about clay ware in the shape of an Italian bowl, an Italian vase or an Italian dinnerware set. I was not satisfied, though. Pottery is any type of ware shaped from moist clay and hardened by heat. Pottery can be employed for a $20 chicken cooking pot as effectively as a $2000 Italian istoriato wall plate.
How could I convey each the technical method behind Italian pottery as well as its special good quality and beauty?
I tested the term Italian ceramics and it worked perfectly. Digging into my Prospects and close friends answers I found out that it basically conveyed high top quality and included both dinnerware and ornamental ware.
There is an historical explanation for this.
Despite the fact that "Ceramics" is - these days and in purely technical language - a more basic term than pottery, it has been employed for alot more than 3000 years in the nations where this craft is born and it has evolved into an art. Italy is one particular of these nations: we proudly handcrafted some of the finest ceramics in the history of this art.
Italian ceramics consist of the Etruscan "bucchero", the Renaissance majolica and lusterware, the Baroque tiles from Sicily, the "zaffera" from central Italy, the contemporary clay art...
When we say Italian ceramics, we mean a lot additional than items created of clay, earthenware or majolica. These two words embody artistic heritage, history, regional traditions, the creativity of a people today. They touch a chord in our souls. That is probably why so countless folks are passionate about Italian ceramics.
Like you and I.
