ΙΚΑΡΟΣ ΡΟΔΟΣ 1950

ΙΚΑΡΟΣ ΡΟΔΟΣ 1950

Η ιστορία του εργοστασίου ΙΚΑΡΟΣ, τόσο κατά την ιταλική όσο και κατά την ελληνική περίοδο, έχει μοναδικό ενδιαφέρον και αξίζει να συζητηθεί. Αναμένουμε …

What an interesting story, the ICARO - IKAROS story to tell. More in the next few weeks..

Posted on August 12, 2017 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Italian Armorial Jug - Pope Clement XI

Posted on May 8, 2016 by D&Y

Italy 17th Private Collection Greece

Italy 17th Private Collection Greece

A rare Italian armorial jug with the coat of arms of Pope Clement XI’s. Papal coats of arms are traditionally shown with an image of the papal tiara and the keys of Peter as an external ornament of the escutcheon. Pope Clement XI, born Giovanni Francesco Albani, was pope from 23 November 1700 to his death in 1721. He was born in 1649 in Urbino to a distinguished family. His mother Elena Mosca was an Italian, descended from a noble family of Pesaro, while his father Carlo Albani was a patrician descended from the noble Albani family that had established itself in Urbino from northern Albania in the 15th c. At the upper side of the jug is written “Clemente XI (gio. Albani) 1700”, the year he was elected pope (private collection, Athens Greece).

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Canakkale 19th - Private Collection Greece

Canakkale 19th - Private Collection Greece

A pair of leaf-shaped ashtrays from Canakkale (length 15 cm, late XIX c.). Red earthenware, painted over in green and brown tones, finished with a transparent colorless glaze. In the mid 19th century, the cigarette found its way to the Ottoman Empire from France. Compared with pipe smoking, the cigarette was an easy-to-use smoke. In fact, the cigarette was a revolutionary device because it included the instrument of smoking and the smoke itself. The cigarette was therefore the perfect commodity for obtaining relief and instant satisfaction while at work. That was the reason why, in the late 19th century, the potters of Çanakkale started to make these elegant ashtrays for smokers (private collection, Athens Greece).

Posted on May 8, 2016 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Posted on November 13, 2015 by D&Y

.

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Δίκτυο Νεότερης Κεραμικής
Αθήνα, Νοέμβριος 2015

DIKTIO PicΤο Δίκτυο Νεότερης Κεραμικής είναι μια πλατφόρμα έρευνας που με επίκεντρο τον ελληνικό χώρο έχει ως στόχο να μελετήσει την κεραμική στη νοτιοανατολική Μεσόγειο και την περιοχή των Βαλκανίων από τον 15ο αι. έως σήμερα. Να εντάξει την κεραμική σε ένα διεπιστημονικό πεδίο μελέτης. Να αναδείξει τον ιστορικό και κοινωνικό της ρόλο. Να ανανεώσει τον τρόπο προσέγγισης της νεώτερης κεραμικής και το λεξιλόγιο που χρησιμοποιούμε γι’ αυτή. Να επανεξετάσει και να επαναξιολογήσει την παλαιότερη σχετική έρευνα.

Το Δίκτυο διέπει η συλλογικότητα και θα επιδιώξει να συνεργαστεί με ιδιώτες και φορείς τόσο στην Ελλάδα όσο και στο εξωτερικό, να οργανώσει έρευνες πεδίου, εκδηλώσεις και εκθέσεις, να κάνει δημοσιεύσεις και παρουσιάσεις πρωτογενούς υλικού και έρευνας. Να δημιουργήσει αρχειακή βάση δεδομένων και να συγκροτήσει μια πιο διεπιστημονική βιβλιογραφία.

Ιδρυτικά μέλη του Δικτύου είναι οι : Βαγγέλης Βλάχος, Γιάννος Ιωαννίδης, Ντίνος Κόγιας, Νίκος Λιάρος και Κώστας Σκιαδάς.

Email επικοινωνίας Δικτύου Νεότερης Κεραμικής: [email protected]

Posted on November 12, 2015 by D&Y | Leave a comment

ICARO Rodi & ΙΚΑΡΟΣ Ceramics Collection c. 1929-1955

Posted on September 26, 2015 by D&Y

ICARO & IKAΡΟΣ Rhodes Greece 20th - Private Collection

ICARO & IKAΡΟΣ Rhodes Greece 20th - Private Collection

Industrie Ceramiche Artistiche Rodio-Orientali (I.C.A.R.O) or ICARO Rodi produced pottery from 1929 to 1946, inspired by the decorative motifs of Iznik. ICARO Rodi was part of an ambitious Italian project aiming the economic growth of Rhodes Island in Greece during the period of the Italian occupation. Official initiation of activities and the opening of the workshop happened in July 24th, 1929 with Luigi De Lerma to be the first technical director of ICARO Rodi. His experience from ‘Fontana Limite” made the ICARO production to be similar to Faenza’s. In the same year he invited Darrio Poppi to be part of the team. In 1931 ICARO Rodi moves to a new building in the old city of Rhodes (near the spectacular road of the Knights- Via dei Cavalieri) where a Madonna tile and a decorative tiles panel can be seen till today. (Compilation of beautiful examples of ICARO Rodi & IΚΑΡΟΣ ceramics from early 1929 till 1955. Belong to a private collection in Athens Greece)

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Kutahya Plate Late19th c. - Hilmi Efendi

Posted on September 23, 2015 by D&Y

Kutahya 19th - Private Collection Greece

Kutahya 19th - Private Collection Greece

Kutahya 19th - Private Collection Greece

Kutahya 19th - Private Collection Greece

Beautiful Kutahya plate from late 19th or early 20th century. White paste, white slip, transparent glaze with decoration in cobalt blue, turquoise and brownish red. Beautiful rosette in the center. The back of the plate is decorated with three evenly separated floral sprays and the base bears a stamp in Arabic script reading ‘Hilmi - Kutahya” (Kutahya 19th Hilmi stamp plate from a private collection in Athens Greece).

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Iznik Jug 16th c. - KL Islamic Museum Malaysia

Posted on September 19, 2015 by D&Y

Iznik 16th - KL Islamic Museum Malaysia

Iznik 16th - KL Islamic Museum Malaysia

The Iznik potters achieved a color range that one can not find in other traditions of underglaze pottery. After the polychromy in 1540s and 1550s they experimented with other colors encouraged by their success which ranged from soft lavender to a deep chocolate brown. The colors were used both for the painted details and in some cases as a ground color. It was however a short lived phase with only the red to continue after about 1975 (IZNIK, The pottery of Ottoman Turkey, Arthur Lane 1989). The beautiful jug in the photo in blue with red details is in the Islamic Museum in KL Malaysia dated near 1960.

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The ‘Figurato’ Maiolica - Montelupo 17th

Posted on September 15, 2015 by D&Y

Italy 17th - Ariana Museum Switzerland

Italy 17th - Ariana Museum Switzerland


The approach to the ‘portrait’ image in Montelupo pottery, according to John Mallet, produced results similar in culture and chronology to
those in other pottery towns of the peninsula. The first Montelupo pottery with figurative decoration comes from the late medieval, a production that continued up to mid 15th c.(‘Figurato’ Maiolica plate from the Ariana collection in Geneva Switzerland - prob mid 17th c.)

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Iznik 16th c. - KL Islamic Museum Malaysia

Posted on September 12, 2015 by D&Y

Iznik 16th - Malaysia Museum
Animals are first depicted on Iznik fritware in 1520s and 1530s with the finest creatures to be those on the Sunnet Odasi tiles.They rarely occur in the 1540s and 1550s with the exception of a peacock dish in the Louvre Museum and a unique two handled flask with chasing animals, that both represent the two major trends of later animal wares (IZNIK, The pottery of Ottoman Turkey, Arthur Lane 1989). The beautiful plate in the photo from the Islamic Museum in Malaysia is an example from near 1575.

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Help us to our study on ICARO Rodi & IKAROS Rhodes (English-Italiano-Ελληνικά)

Posted on September 11, 2015 by D&Y


Dear friends,
We have initiated an effort to collect material from the factory of ICARO RODI and IKAROS RHODES and save its history. Your valuable assistance is more than welcome and in fact is a must in order to be able and proceed, as we need:
• Personal stories of people that used to work in the factory (names, dates, interviews we can have, etc)
• Photographs (during working time, houses decorated with ICARO, personal photos to support stories from the workers – may be yourself, your grandmother or grandfather, someone from your family, we do want to have him/her in our book)
• Anything else that can assist our research
We hope that this effort can be a really interesting article and we want to include you or your family in it.
Please contact with as through [email protected]
———————————-Italiano———————————————————————————–
Carissimi amici,
Siamo al inizio di una impresa di trovare materiale in riguardo con dei Stabilimenti Ceramiche di “ ICARO RODI” sia che “ ICARO RODOS” . Abbiamo bisogno del vostro prezioso aiuto per trovare
· Storie dei personagi che abbiano lavorato nei stabilimenti con magari nomi e date.
· Fotografie del personale in fabrica durante il lavoro al riposo etc.
· Qualsiasi che possa autare alla nostra ricerca
Speriamo che questo tentativo finira in un interessante articolo quale ci piacerebbe che essistesse anche la vostra storia.
Per contatto con noi al [email protected]
———————————–Ελληνικά———————————————————————————-
Αγαπητοί φίλοι,
Ξεκινήσαμε μια προσπάθεια να μαζέψουμε υλικό σχετικό με τα κεραμικά του εργοστασίου ICARO RODI και ΙΚΑΡΟΣ ΡΟΔΟΣ, καθώς η ιστορία του χάνεται με τον χρόνο. Η πολύτιμη βοήθειά σας είναι αναγκαία για να μπορέσουμε να συνεχίσουμε καθώς χρειαζόμαστε:
• Πρόσωπα και ιστορίες αυτών που δούλεψαν στο εργοστάσιο (ονόματα, συνεντεύξεις, ημερομηνίες, ό,τι άλλο)
• Φωτογραφίες αυτών (στο εργοστάσιο, σε ώρα εργασίας ή προσωπικές)
• Οτιδήποτε άλλο μπορεί να βοηθήσει την έρευνά μας
Η προσπάθεια αυτή ελπίζουμε να καταλήξει σύντομα σε ένα ενδιαφέρον άρθρο και θα θέλαμε να αναφέρει και την δική σας ιστορία.
Παρακαλώ επικοινωνήστε μαζί μας στο [email protected]

With Respect, Φιλικά,
Yiannos

Posted in Islamic Ceramics | Leave a comment

Help us to our study on ICARO Rodi & IKAROS Rhodes (English-Italiano-Ελληνικά)

Posted on September 10, 2015 by D&Y

ICARO RODI (Postcard)- Greece Private Collection

Dear friends,
We have initiated an effort to collect material from the factory of ICARO RODI and IKAROS RHODES and save its history. Your valuable assistance is more than welcome and in fact is a must in order to be able and proceed, as we need:
• Personal stories of people that used to work in the factory (names, dates, interviews we can have, etc)
• Photographs (during working time, houses decorated with ICARO, personal photos to support stories from the workers - may be yourself, your grandmother or grandfather, someone from your family, we do want to have him/her in our book)
• Anything else that can assist our research
We hope that this effort can be a really interesting article and we want to include you or your family in it.
Please contact with as through [email protected]
———————————-Italiano———————————————————————————-
Carissimi amici,
Siamo al inizio di una impresa di trovare materiale in riguardo con dei Stabilimenti Ceramiche di “ ICARO RODI” sia che “ ICARO RODOS” . Abbiamo bisogno del vostro prezioso aiuto per trovare
· Storie dei personagi che abbiano lavorato nei stabilimenti con magari nomi e date.
· Fotografie del personale in fabrica durante il lavoro al riposo etc.
· Qualsiasi che possa autare alla nostra ricerca
Speriamo che questo tentativo finira in un interessante articolo quale ci piacerebbe che essistesse anche la vostra storia.
Per contatto con noi al [email protected]
———————————-Ελληνικά———————————————————————————-
Αγαπητοί φίλοι,
Ξεκινήσαμε μια προσπάθεια να μαζέψουμε υλικό σχετικό με τα κεραμικά του εργοστασίου ICARO RODI και ΙΚΑΡΟΣ ΡΟΔΟΣ, καθώς η ιστορία του χάνεται με τον χρόνο. Η πολύτιμη βοήθειά σας είναι αναγκαία για να μπορέσουμε να συνεχίσουμε καθώς χρειαζόμαστε:
• Πρόσωπα και ιστορίες αυτών που δούλεψαν στο εργοστάσιο (ονόματα, συνεντεύξεις, ημερομηνίες, ό,τι άλλο)
• Φωτογραφίες αυτών (στο εργοστάσιο, σε ώρα εργασίας ή προσωπικές)
• Οτιδήποτε άλλο μπορεί να βοηθήσει την έρευνά μας
Η προσπάθεια αυτή ελπίζουμε να καταλήξει σύντομα σε ένα ενδιαφέρον άρθρο και θα θέλαμε να αναφέρει και την δική σας ιστορία.
Παρακαλώ επικοινωνήστε μαζί μας στο [email protected]

With Respect, Φιλικά,
Yiannos

Posted in Icaro - Ikaros | Tagged | Leave a comment

IZNIK 16th c. - KL Museum Malaysia

Posted on November 22, 2014 by D&Y

Iznik 16th - KL Museum Malaysia Beautiful Iznik plate around 1585 with an Ibrik motif in red, blue and green colors - Kuala Lumpur National Museum Collection.

The most significant aesthetic change post 1550 was the introduction of the red as an underglaze color. In parallel, this was a technical triumph, as red is one of the most intractable underglaze colors in pottery.

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Veneto Plate 19th c.

Posted on August 25, 2014 by D&Y

Italy 19th - Private Collection Greece

Italy 19th - Private Collection Greece

Ceramic hand painted plate from Veneto region in northern Italy (d 29cm, late 19th c.). The plate’s border done with sponge is framing the figure of a young woman. Despite the decline in production in the early 19th century because of the great political and economic crisis, many laboratories in the Veneto region have survived, making pottery for a wider consumer audience, on which are depicted scenes from everyday life, nature, animals , people, religion, mythology etc. These ceramics, known as “ceramica popolare”, produced in large numbers during the period from 1840 until the First World War, when the Veneto region was in the front line and was a murderous battle field, resulting in the death of any industrial and craft (private collection, Athens Greece).

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Montelupo Plate Italy 17th c.

Posted on February 7, 2014 by D&Y

Italy 17th Private Collection Greece Maiolica flat plate, tin-glazed, made in Montelupo , Italy (d 21,7 cm, early 17th century). The arabesque style decoration shows the strong influence of the Moorish-Hispano art on Montelupo’s pottery designs. Three spots in the centre were caused by the tripod stilts used for stacking plates during firing. Montelupo is situated in the heart of Tuscany , between Florence and Empoli, and has been an important centre for manufacturing ceramics since medieval times. Its success can be credited to the natural abundance of clay in the surrounding area, primarily due to frequent flooding of the Arno River , and second, the role Florentine merchants historically played in trading Montelupo’s maiolica, or hand-painted terra-cotta, throughout Europe during the Renaissance ( private collection Athens, Greece).

Piatto in Maiolica Montelupo, XVII secolo (Coll. Privata, Atene, Grecia).

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Tunisian Bowl from Sejnane 20th c.

Posted on January 23, 2014 by D&Y

Tunisia 20th - Private Collection Greece Tunisian ceramic bowl from Sejnane (d 17,5 cm, XX century). 130km North-West of Tunis, the village of Sejnane sits on a green plain of hedgerows and villages. For centuries, women in Sejnane have been making pottery. It is a skill that has been passed on for generations from mother to daughter. The techniques used to create pottery made here date back thousands of years. The clay is shaped by hand, then decorated with traditional motifs. The items are baked on open fires in the yards of the houses. The decorative patterns on the vessels all have symbolic meanings. The stylized triangles on this bowl symbolize fertility (private collection, Athens, Greece).

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S Italy Proto Maiolica Plate -13c

Posted on November 25, 2013 by D&Y

S Italy 13th - A. Museum Korinthos Greece

Plate from Southern Italy (proto-maiolica 1250-1300 A.D.). Proto-maiolica is a type of tin-glazed wares made in Sicily and Southern Italy shortly before 1200 until the 15th century. These ceramics were usually painted with various animals , fishes etc. in different colors before glaze was applied. The best known proto-maiolicas are from northern Apulia. They were traded extensively across the Adriatic and Aegean Sea. This plate was found in Corinth, an important commercial harbor in the Mediterranean, showing contacts between Greece and various regions of Italy from the thirteenth century (Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth, Greece).

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Keramikos 1932 Greece - Famous ‘It’ Girl, Clara Bow

Posted on November 3, 2013 by D&Y

Ceramic decorative figure depicting the famous “It Girl” Clara Bow (dated on the base 1932, Keramikos factory, Athens Greece).”It girl” is a term for a young woman who possesses the quality “It”, absolute attraction. Clara Bow (1905 – 1965) was an American actress who rose to stardom in silent film and became the ultimate sex symbol during the 1920s. It was her appearance as a plucky shop girl in the film “It“ that brought her global fame and the nickname : The It Girl”. She appeared in 46 silent films and 11 talkies. After marrying actor Rex Bell in 1931, Bow retired from acting and became a rancher in Nevada. Her final film, Hoop-La, was released in 1933. Bow died of a heart attack at the age of 60.The figure represents a Bow’s favorite pose with hands on head (private collection Athens, Greece).

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Canakkale Lamp 20th Ito Hirobumi

Posted on May 4, 2013 by D&Y

An anthropomorphic gas lamp from Çanakkale (early 20th century). Red earthenware with a brown glaze and decorations painted in red, white, and yellow over the glaze. The lamp probably depicts the Prince Itō Hirobumi (1841-1909), four time Prime Minister of Japan, dressed in General’s uniform. Following the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05), Japan occupied Korea, and Itō Hirobumi became the first Resident General of Korea. Itō who had opposed an annexation of Korea, was assassinated in 1909 by a Korean nationalist while on a trip to Harbin (Manchuria). His assassination is believed to have accelerated the path to the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty in 1910. Another unique piece of the varied and endless Çanakkale’s production, which combines pottery with history (private collection, Athens Greece).

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Naples Maiolica Dish - Caravela Latina 18th

Posted on May 3, 2013 by D&Y

Italy 18th - Private Collection Greece

A Naples maiolica dish, decorated in blue, green, yellow and manganese with a ship under full sail. The border with a stylized garland of flowers between wavy lines. The ship is probably a caravel carrying three masts with lateen sails (caravela latina). The caravel is a light sailing ship that was developed by the Portuguese in the late 1400’s, and was used for the next 300 years (18th c., diam. 32cm, private collection Athens, Greece).

Piatto con vascello caravella. Fabbriche napoletane, sec. XVIII, (Coll. Privata, Atene).

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Naples Plate 19th - A Fortified Farmhouse (Masseria)

Posted on April 7, 2013 by D&Y

Italy 19th - Private Collection Greece

Large hand painted plate from Naples region (late 19th c.). A fortified farmhouse (masseria) with a watch-tower in the centre and a continuous meander on the rim. The fortification of Italian farmhouses was necessary for the protection of crops and people, from pirate and bandit attacks (d 45 cm, private collection, Athens Greece).

Posted in Italian Ceramics, Napoli | Leave a comment

Italy Puglia 19th - Two Handed Jug

Posted on April 7, 2013 by D&Y

Italy 19th - Private Collection Greece

Two-handed jug from Grottaglie (Puglia, southern Italy). Floral decoration with stars and spirals in the typical colors of local workshops during the 19th century. This type of jug is called “ciarla” in local dialect and usually purchased as a wedding gift (19th century, private collection Athens, Greece).
Ciarla in ceramica di Grottaglie, sec. XIX, Coll. Privata, Atene.

Posted in Grottaglie / Puglia, Italian Ceramics | Leave a comment

Canakkale 19th - Blackamoor Tobacco Jar

Posted on March 9, 2013 by D&Y

Canakkale 19th - Private Collection Greece

Pottery blackamoor tobacco jar in the form of a black African man’s head, his hair as the lid (Çanakkale Turkey, late 19th – early 20th century). Blackamoors have a long history in decorative art and it stretches all the way back to the 17th century. Moor’s were a type of black Africans that were captured and sold into slavery, mostly on the European market. The craftsmen of Çanakkale have copied similar tobacco jars of European origin (private collection, Athens Greece).

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Italy Rapino - St Rocco 1914

Posted on February 17, 2013 by D&Y

Italy Rapino - Private Collection Greece

Water pitcher with St. Rocco who shows his wound of the plague and a dog holding a piece of bread in his mouth (dated 1914, Rapino, Italy). St. Roch or Rocco was born at Montpellier and had traveled to Italy in the 14th c. to tend to the sick during the plague. He himself fell ill and was expelled from Rome. He withdrew into the forest, where he made himself a hut of boughs and leaves. As St. Rocco lay ill in a cave, a stray dog belonging to a nobleman, brought him bread and licked his wounds, healing them. Rapino is a typical Abruzzese mountain town noted for its long tradition of making ceramics, which continues today. The Feast of San Rocco is a religious celebration held on the 16th of August. For this traditional festival in honour of the pilgrim saint, people flock to drink water from a miraculous fountain with a typical decorated ceramic jug made by the craftsmen of Rapino (private collection, Athens Greece).

Boccale in ceramica con effigie di S. Rocco, Rapino (Coll. Privata, Atene).

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Canakkale Ewer 42cm 19th century

Posted on February 17, 2013 by D&Y

Canakkale 19th - Private Collection Turkey

Pottery ewer from Çanakkale Turkey (late 19th century). Pear-shaped body with a long narrow neck and a stylized bird’s head mouth. On the front of the body are floral rosettes and a branch with symmetrical leaves, all in high relief. A tasselled garland on the neck. All these ornaments, highly affected by the Rococo style, have been further embellished with gilded floral decorations over the glaze.
Another impressive item from Çanakkale’s endless repertory (42 cm high, Private collection Turkey).

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Ariano (prob.) Female Figure 18th

Posted on December 1, 2012 by D&Y

Italy 18th - Private Collection Greece

Salt shaker in the shape of female figure, from the potteries of Naples region (probably Ariano). Such figures from Ariano and Naples belong to the most impressive ceramics in Italy. The hands and the basket are restored (late 18th century, Private collection Athens Greece).

Saliera con figura femminile, Napoli (fabbriche di Ariano ?), fine sec. XVIII (Coll. Privata, Atene).

Posted in Ariano, Italian Ceramics | Tagged | Leave a comment

Kutahya Plate - ‘Memento of Kutahya’ Inscription 19th/20th

Posted on November 5, 2012 by D&Y

Kutahya 19th / 20th - Private Collection Greece

Plate from Kütahya Turkey (late 19th – early 20th century). Cream colored paste, white slip and transparent glaze. The ground is decorated in fish scale motif. A floral motif springs from a central medallion and rosette blossoms are around the rim. Inside one of them there is an inscription “Memento of Kutahya” in Arabic script. Although the glory days are gone,Kütahya ceramics still retain their charm. Private collection Athens Greece.

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Caltagirone (Sicily) Flask - Dated 1908

Posted on October 6, 2012 by D&Y

Sicily 20th (1908) - Private Collection Greece

A fine quality spherical pottery flask from Caltagirone (Sicily). The jug is dated 1908 and decorated with a drawing of three tulips ; pair of opposing handles from shoulder to the top of the neck (h 35 cm). A very beautiful ceramic from the Sicilian traditional pottery. Private collection Athens Greece.

Grande fiasca in ceramica decorato con tre tulipani, datata 1908, alt. 35 cm. Oggetto della tradizione popolare Caltagirone (Coll. Privata, Atene).

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Dutch Tiles 19th David & Goliath

Posted on October 6, 2012 by D&Y

Dutch 19th - Private Collection Greece

Dutch tiles depicting David beheading Goliath (19th c.). From the late 17th to 19th century, many of the Dutch tile makers produced tiles depicting the Old and New Testament biblical stories. These tiles, usually installed as a fireplace surround, were most popular in the rural areas of Holland, France, Belgium, Germany, and Denmark. Delft Biblical Tiles were used both as a reflection of the faith of the household, and as a learning tool for the children. Private collection Athens Greece.

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Kutahya Plates 18th c - Samos Island Greece

Posted on September 16, 2012 by D&Y

Kutahya 18th - Samos Island Greece

Kütahya plates of the 18th century, embedded in the dome of Saint Matrona’s church in the village of Pano Vathi in Samos Island (Aegean Greece). During the building of churches, it was very common among the Christian populations to decorate them with dishes and tiles from Iznik, Kütahya, Çanakkale, Italy and other European countries. Because of this, some excellent examples of Ottoman and European pottery have been survived on the walls of the Orthodox churches and monasteries. Unfortunately, many of these ceramics suffer serious damages from the passage of time, people’s ignorance and natural elements. For this reason it is important to protect and preserve them (photo by Ceramopolis).

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Canakkale Ewer 19th c.

Posted on September 16, 2012 by D&Y

Canakkale 19th - Private Collection Greece

Ewer from Çanakkale Turkey (late 19th century). A pear-shaped body with a narrow neck, a long spout and a flat base. Red earthenware with a white slip and glaze with green splashes. Çanakkale ceramics were very popular in the Greek islands where were exported in large quantities, and for this reason many Greek potters imitated the forms of Çanakkale. This ewer was used for many years by the members of a Greek family for putting olive oil in their food (private collection Athens Greece ).

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Pesaro Italy Coffee Pot 18th c

Posted on September 12, 2012 by D&Y

Italy 18th - Private Collection Greece

A maiolica coffee pot from Pesaro, Italy (late 18th century). Elegant form beautifully decorated with stylized flowers in daisy pattern. Another wonderful sample of the great pottery tradition of Pesaro. Private collection Athens Greece.

Caffettiera . Di forma aggraziata. L’ ornato alla margherita e particolarmente accurato. Pesaro, seconda meta del XVIII sec. Coll. Privata, Atene

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Cerreto Sannita Dated 1737 - Soup Toureen

Posted on September 2, 2012 by D&Y

Italy 18th - Private Collection Greece


Soup toureen from Cerreto Sannita (dated 1737 on its basis). Cerreto Sannita is a municipality in the Province of Benevento in the Italian region Campania, located about 60 km northeast of Naples. The ceramics art tradition flourished in Cerreto after the earthquake of 1688. Many craftsmen came to rebuild the city, including many master potters who brought their invaluable skills. Thanks to the Neapolitan potters, Cerreto’s pottery reached high levels of artistic and decorative quality. At the beginning of the ‘700 and throughout the 19th century there is a flourishing production of authentic works of art (private collection Athens Greece).

Zuppiera in ceramica di Cerreto Sannita, datata 1737,Coll. Privata, Atene

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Zarafa, a Giraffe which became France’s darling

Posted on August 14, 2012 by D&Y

Faience plates from Wally and Les issletes among other items painted with the famous giraffe Zarafa (c. 1827-9). Zarafa was a female giraffe given to Charles X King of France by Muhammad Ali of Egypt. She was one of the first three giraffes to be seen in Europe for over three centuries and her arrival in France caused great excitement to the crowds. She was presented to the King at the chateau of Saint-Cloud in Paris on 9 July 1827. Zarafa’s arrival in Paris caused a public delirium. Over 100,000 people came to see her, approximately an eighth of the population of Paris at the time. The enthusiasm of the crowd was the reason for displaying giraffe images to a large number of objects, including ceramics and porcelain, as we can see in these plates. Zarafa took up residence in the Jardin des Plantes and remained in Paris until her death in 1845.

Read more about the famous giraffe Zarafa which became France’s darling in our New page “Pottery Stories”.

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S. Italy (Abruzzi?) Albarello 18th or 19th c.

Posted on May 17, 2012 by D&Y

S Italy 18th/19th Private Collection Greece

An 18th/19th century albarello, polychrome decorated with a stylised hare within a landscape (Southern Italy, Abruzzi ?). The hare has been a powerful symbol in mythology in major civilisations around the world for thousands of years and has always had divine associations. Hares were common decorative motif in Italian ceramics, as a symbol of fertility, rebirth, promise, fulfillment, and balance (h. 25,50 cm , private collection Athens Greece ). Albarello in ceramica con figura di lepre. Italia meridionale (Abruzzi ?), XVIII ­­-­­ XIX secolo, coll. privata Atene.

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Cyprus - Kouza 20th c.

Posted on May 17, 2012 by D&Y

Cyprus 20th - Private Collection Greece

Kouza, water jug from the mountain villages of Cyprus (Phini, Ayios Dimitrios and Kaminaria). In previous years the transportation of water from the fountain to the home was a daily task carried out with the aid of these large jugs, generally containing over 10 litres of water. Made of red clay with an archaic form, kouza (κούζα) is the most characteristic water jug in Cyprus (mid 20th century, private collection Athens Greece).

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Spain 19th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Ceramic cruet from Puente del Arzobispo (19th c.). El Puente del Arzobispo is a municipality located in the province of Toledo, Spain. The Province of Toledo has been the centre of handmade ceramics for well over a thousand years. The artists of the neighbouring villages of Talavera de la Reina and El Puente del Arzobispo establish the standard against which all other Spanish hand painted ceramics are compared. Today the town is the centre of a thriving industry producing pottery and tiles decorated in green and yellow with animal and plant motifs.
Private collection, Athens Greece . Vinagrera , Puente del Arzobispo ( Toledo ) arcilla, siglo XIX

Posted on May 9, 2012 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Spanish (Manises near Valencia) Plate 19th

Posted on February 19, 2012 by D&Y

Manises Spain 19th Private Collection Greece

Popular dish from the workshops of Manises, near Valencia, in Spain’s eastern Mediterranean coastal region. The plate is painted in bright colors blue, green, yellow and purple. The central theme is a bird standing on large flowers, while blue dots filling the white background. The 18th and particularly the 19th centuries were another noteworthy era in the Manises ceramic production, characterised by the popular tone of the decorations. The motifs are mainly floral, but there are also birds, animals, human figures and architecture depicted. The plate is dated around the mid-19th century. Private collection Athens Greece.

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Hispano Moresque Ceramic Charger

Posted on February 19, 2012 by D&Y

Hispano Moresque 17th Private Collection Greece

A 17th century Hispano-Moresque copper lustre ceramic charger, with a banded rim decorated on the center with a stylized bird among carnations and scattered flowers (d 36 cm). Hispano-Moresque ware was a style of initially Islamic pottery created in Muslim Spain, which continued to be produced under Christian rule in styles blending Islamic and European elements. The Moors introduced tin-glazed pottery to Spain after the conquest of 711. Valencia, Barcelona and Malaga became important centers of Hispano-Moresque ware. The industry’s most successful period was the 14th and 15th centuries. Although the Moors were expelled from Spain in the early 17th century, the Hispano-Moresque style survived in the province of Valencia. Later wares usually have a coarse reddish-buff body, dark blue decoration and luster. Private collection Athens Greece.

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French Pottery - La Ceramique Francaise - Poterie Francais, is on Air

Posted on December 18, 2011 by D&Y

A NEW PAGE WITH ‘FRENCH CERAMICS’ FROM Mid 16th to 19th CENTURY IS ON AIR WITH 60 UNIQUE ITEMS – FOLLOW US & ENJOY THIS UNIQUE & RARE PART OF THE FRENCH POTTERY

And please do not forget that we LIKE you to LIKE us on Facebook

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Yiasiranis (Rhodes) 20th - Private Collection Greece


Giant ceramic figure of a horseman, made ​​by Savas Yiasiranis from Archangelos Rhodes. Son of the famous craftsman Nicholas Yiasiranis, former master potter of the Icaros factory, Savas continues (as well as his brother Stephanos) the family tradition by making human and animal figures, dolls with traditional costumes of the Dodecanese and idols in a bell shape. Most of these ceramics are sold at fairs all over the island, especially in the feast which takes place on September 8th at the old monastery of Panagia Tsampika near the village of Archangelos. Despite his advanced age, Savas continues to make folk ceramics which reflect the popular taste and spontaneity of their creator. Private collection, Athens Greece

Posted on November 19, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

‘Kutahya Ceramics’ Page is on Air

Posted on October 29, 2011 by D&Y

A NEW PAGE WITH ‘KUTAHYA CERAMICS’ FROM 18th - 20th CENTURY IS ON AIR WITH MORE THAN 70 UNIQUE ITEMS – FOLLOW US & ENJOY THIS UNIQUE & RARE PART OF THE ISLAMIC HISTORY

Please check under the “Islamic-Ottoman” category

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‘Kutahya Ceramics’ Page is on Air

Posted on October 29, 2011 by D&Y

A NEW PAGE WITH ‘KUTAHYA CERAMICS’ FROM 18th - 20th CENTURY IS ON AIR WITH 70 UNIQUE ITEMS – FOLLOW US & ENJOY THIS UNIQUE & RARE PART OF THE ISLAMIC HISTORY

Please check under the “Islamic-Ottoman” category

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Kutahya 18th - Pera Museum Constantinople


Armenian flask (Kutahya) dated from the second half of the 18th century. Representation of a mail figure in traditional clothing smoking a long stemmed pipe. The sides are decorated with needle-leafed branches while the perimeter of the flask is decorated with flowering branches. Such flasks and/or plates were mainly addressed for European buyers.
The oldest Kutahya ceramics, an example of tiles dated (1718/9) , were a special order for the restoration of the church of the Holy Sepulcher within the Old City of Jerusalem (also called the Church of the Resurrection by Eastern Christians). These pictorial tiles depict a series of scenes from the Old and New Testament with an inscription in Armenian. (Last Supper and Holly Women at the empty Tomb – Etchmiadzin chapel, St. James Cathedral, Armenian Patriarchate, Jerusalem).

Posted on October 23, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Canakkale Plates with Ships & House Motifs

Posted on September 24, 2011 by D&Y


Canakkale plates dated from the 1st half of 19th century. Red earthenware (usual) with light – yellow glaze, with rare (ships, houses) motifs at the center. It was the early 17th century when Canakkale ceramics (souvenirs rather than objects of daily use) became an object of enough interest to caught the attention of foreign travelers. Beautiful and rare examples from the Tiled Kiosk Museum in Istanbul Turkey.

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France 19th - Metropolitan Museum NY

Joseph-Théodore Deck (1823–1891) was a 19th-century French potter. He was born in Guebwiller and began learning pottery in his early 20s. Deck was the first of the artist potters to explore historical styles in the name of progress in ceramics. In 1856 he established his own faience workshop with his brother Xavier and his nephew Richard. “Atelier Deck” became a design laboratory promoting ceramics as an art form, experimenting with the Islamic style of ceramic making, and in particular the Iznik style. Well known is also the “bleu de Deck,” his famous deep-turquoise blue glaze, using potash, carbonate of soda and chalk- Metropolitan Museum NY.

Posted on September 16, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Nevers Patronymique 19th - Private Collection France

Plate from Nevers (dated 1806 & inscribed Rene Lions) with the figure of Saint Maurille (Bishop of Angers) that regenerates a dead child by baptizing him. Saint Renee is the child that receives a re-born life. The theme of this plate is extremely popular due to Renee d’Anjou, King of Naples and Sicily that spread this legend in the 15th century - Private Collection France.

Posted on September 10, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

David Vases - British Museum Web Site Picture


The David Vases are the best-known porcelain vases in the world because of the rare inscriptions around their necks, dating them to precisely AD 1351. They are named after their most famous owner, Sir Percival David (1892-1964), who built-up one of the world’s greatest Chinese ceramic collections.

Read the article on our ‘ceramopolis.com’ Page on facebook

“The David Vases”

Best Regards

Posted on August 23, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Visit out ‘Ceramopolis.com Page on Facebook’ and follow ceramic news from all over the world.

Also check the ‘MuseumPolis Page on facebook’ and celebrate art through daily posts from more than 300 Museums & Art web sites.

“Like” us is the vitamin to continue this effort, creating a community for ceramic art, pottery and folk history of our own culture.

Sincerely Yours D&Y

Posted on August 15, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Canakkale 19th - Tiled Kiosk Museum Istanbul Turkey

Canakkale plate dated from the 1st half of 19th century. Red earthenware (usual) with light – yellow glaze, and a fish design at the center.
It was the early 17th century when Canakkale ceramics (souvenirs rather than objects of daily use) became an object of enough interest to caught the attention of foreign travelers.
In Çanakkale the production was mainly plates, bowls, jugs, pitchers and vases (up to now, no wall tiles have been found). Broad 18th century plates with skilful and varied designs, including ships, buildings, ibrik, and simple geometric and plant motives, belong to the finest ceramics ever made in Çanakkale.

Posted on August 14, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

The French Revolution (Révolution Française; 1789–1799) was a period of radical social and political change in French and European history. French Revolution began in 1789 with the convocation of the Estates-General in May. First years of the revolution were dominated by important events as the assault of the Bastille and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.The Republic was proclaimed in Sept 1792 and King Louis XVI was executed in 1793. These difficult years during which thousands of people were killed, influence art including pottery. Ceramic plates with themes from the Revolution become part of the everyday life and are highly collectible nowadays.

Posted on August 7, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Canakkale 19th - Tiled Kiosk Museum Istanbul Turkey

Canakkale plate dated from the 2nd half of 19th century. Red earthenware (usual) with light - yellow glaze, and the animal figure of a giraffe in the middle of trees.
It was the early 17th century when Canakkale ceramics (souvenirs rather than objects of daily use) became an object of enough interest to catch the attention of foreign travelers. Canakkale ceramists (mostly Armenians, Greeks and Turks) gained popularity in time and benefiting from the Canakkale’s geographical location (port near the Aegean sea) to heavily export jugs and plates as souvenirs in Greece (emphasis in islands as Skyros and Rhodes), France (Avignon) and Russia among other.
A rare and much desired object for any collector (Tiled Kiosk Museum – Istanbul, Turkey).

Posted on August 7, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Kutahya 18th - Pera Museum Istanbul


Beautiful Kutahya Pitcher (Turkey -2nd half of the 18th century). Plain rim with long neck and bulbous body in transparent glaze and decoration in yellow, cobalt blue, manganese purple and brownish red colors. A pair figures, one wearing a turban and the other with a priest’s hat, embracing each other.
Armenian pottery in Kutahya dates back to the early 16th century, when inscribed vessels in Armenian language indicate a production of ceramic ware similar to that of Iznik. Kutahya pottery reached its peak in the 18th century, when the Iznik workshops had closed down, and the orders for the tiling of the mosques and churches were directed to the Armenian ceramists.

Posted on August 6, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

‘Greek Commemorative’ Page is on Air

Posted on July 31, 2011 by D&Y

A NEW PAGE WITH ‘GREEK COMMEMORATIVE’ FAIENCES FROM 19th & 20th CENTURY IS ON AIR WITH 40 UNIQUE ITEMS – FOLLOW US & ENJOY A UNIQUE PIECE OF THE GREEK HISTORY

Please check under page “Greece”

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Greek Commemorative Ceramics 19th & 20th c.

Posted on July 30, 2011 by D&Y

THE NEW ‘GREEK COMMEMORATIVE’ CERAMICS FROM 19th & 20th CENTURY WILL BE ON AIR THIS WEEKEND WITH 40 UNIQUE ITEMS – FOLLOW US & ENJOY A PIECE OF THE GREEK HISTORY

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Greece 20th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Plate with the Greek warship Georgios Averof, from the faiences of Creil and Montereau (Picardie Region of Northern France, early 20th century). Georgios Averof (Greek: Θ/Κ Γεώργιος Αβέρωφ) is an armored cruiser which served as the flagship of the Royal Hellenic Navy during most of the first half of the 20th Century. The ship was built in 1910 at Orlando Shipyards (Livorno Italy) and most of the construction cost was paid by a wealthy Greek benefactor, George Averoff, whose name the warship received. In the Balkan Wars, Averof, served as the flagship of the fleet, and took part in victorious naval battles against the Ottoman Navy and in the liberation of the islands of the northern and eastern Aegean. For these reasons the warship Averof is an emblem of victory for the Greeks and thousands of dishes were ordered in French faience workshops for the Greek houses. From 1984 to this day, Averof is anchored in Faliron Bay in Athens functioning as a floating museum. On the plate is written “Battleship Averof - The glory of Greece”.

Posted on July 29, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

N Epirus (Greece) 19th - Private Collection Greece

Ceramic pitchers for wine or raki from Northern Epirus (Southern Albania, 19th century). Excellent traditional example from the region’s folk pottery. Both pitchers have the characteristic holed joint between the long neck and the spout, for greater protection from cracking. This joint which in Greek is called «λειρί» (liri), is found in many similar vessels in the Balkans. Typical decoration with brownish red and green lines all over the body.

Posted on July 24, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Greece 20th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Ceramic decorative figures in traditional Greek costumes from the factory of Kerameikos in Athens. The factory was founded in the early 20th century with the aim of industrial pottery production and manufacturing artistic ceramics. The products of Kerameikos SA, with the bull as a trade mark, sealed the Greek urban household in the first half of the 20th century. In parallel with the factory’s industrial production, many artists worked there making excellent artistic ceramics. These figures are dated from 1940.

Posted on July 23, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Romania 20th - Private Collection Greece

Pair of anthropomorphic pitchers from the village Oboga, in Olt County (southern Romania). Oboga is a well known ceramic center, which is unique through its sculptural character of the shapes. Among Oboga’s ceramics are vinegar cruets, barrels, zoomorphic and anthropomorphic pitchers decorated in the form of small snakes and tiny frogs. These pitchers are dated around the mid-20th century. Private collection Athens Greece

Posted on July 23, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Italian Water Bottle (Ariano or Cerreto) late 18th or early 19th c.

Posted on July 19, 2011 by D&Y

Italian water bottle in the shape of a book (from Ariano or Cerreto, late 18th early 19th century). A wild hare and a bird in natural surroundings, decorate both sides of the bottle. When the bottle was filled with hot water, then worked as a bed or footwarmer. Such stylishly objects were common in potteries of Ariano or Cerreto Sanita, giving evidence of the great pottery tradition in these regions. Private collection Athens Greece.

Borraccia (scaldino) a foggia di libro. Fabbriche di Ariano o Cerreto Sanita, sec. XVII-XIX. Coll.privata Atene.

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Posted on July 9, 2011 by D&Y

THE NEW ‘ITALY – POST 1600′ POTTERY PAGE IS ON AIR WITH 80 UNIQUE ITEMS – ENJOY THEIR FOLK ELEGANCE & BEAUTY

Posted in Italian Ceramics | Leave a comment

Faenza or Marche 18th - Private Collection Greece

Twin handled maiolica cup from Italy, painted with a central Virgin of Loreto and Child and the inscription “CON POL DI S CASA” (probably from Faenza or Marche region, second half of 18th c.). Loreto is a hill town of the Italian province of Ancona. It is mostly famous as the seat of the Basilica della Santa Casa, a popular Catholic pilgrimage site. But the true pilgrim’s attraction is the Holy House, the place where the Annunciation took place and where Jesus was born. According to the legend it was carried there by the angels, however it was done by crusaders. The cup is a pilgrim’s souvenir, painted with the famous statue of the Virgin of Loreto covered with a mantle known as “dalmatic” and the Holy House in the background. Today, the statue of Virgin stands above an altar inside the Holy House. Private collection Athens Greece.

Tazza da brodo decorata con la Madonna di Loreto. Faenza o Marche, seconda meta del XVIII sec. Coll. Privata, Atene.

Φλιτζάνι με απεικόνιση της Παναγίας του Λορέτο (Ιταλία, δεύτερο μισό του 18ου αι., πιθανόν από εργαστήριο της Φαένζα ή της περιοχής Μαρσέ). Το Λορέτο βρίσκεται στην επαρχία της Ανκόνα και αποτελεί σημαντικό προσκύνημα για τους καθολικούς λόγω της ύπαρξης του Ιερού Σπιτιού όπου γεννήθηκε και μεγάλωσε ο Ιησούς και το οποίο μεταφέρθηκε τμηματικά στην Ιταλία από τους Άγιους Τόπους κατά τη διάρκεια των Σταυροφοριών. Στο κέντρο του φλιτζανιού απεικονίζεται το άγαλμα της Παναγίας του Λορέτο με τον Ιησού μπροστά από το Ιερό Σπίτι. Ιδιωτική συλλογή, Αθήνα

Posted on July 7, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Pesaro Jug 19th - Benaki Museum Athens Greece

Wine ceramic jug from Pesaro, Marche area (early 19th c.). The jug is inscribed in Greek with a drinking verse and is decorated with bright colors. The verse in Greek is: “διερρηγμέν ! ενδύεται ο εραστής του ούνου, ου τόν τοιντον κοιταζαι και τετοιος μοί γίνου”. In free translation the verse says, one sees a wine lover, dressed in torn clothing and wishes not to become like him.

Posted on July 2, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Les Islettes 19th - Private Collection France

19th century faience plate produced by ‘Les Islettes’ a manufactory of exquisite French pottery. The woman with parasol is Madame Bernard, the wife of the factory’s founder. The ‘Les Islettes’ faience factory in Bois d’ Epense, was founded by François Bernard in 1764. The factory began with 30 workers and master painters from the other centers and by the beginning of the 19th century some 200 people were working in this. The images of Madame Bernard were one of the most famous and distinctive motifs of Islettes, together with revolutionary themes like the French coq.

Posted on June 25, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Faenza 17th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Plate from Faenza Italy painted with a running deer (early 17th century). Towards the end of the 16th century the craftsmen of Faenza developed a new decorative style with simpler and more immediate forms of expression, as a reaction to the over ornamented pictorial style. They took over the technique of producing white ware. The vessels were covered with fine, white, cold enamels, and much of the white area was left undecorated, except from central scenes painted spontaneously with only a few brush strokes. This production of objects is commonly called “Faenza white ware” (bianchi di Faenza) or “compendiario” style ware. The fame of Faenza white ware spread and grew to such a great degree that finally, from the second half of the 16th century on, the name “faïence” - a French term derived from Faenza - was used generically for all such tin-glazed products, just as it is today.

Posted on June 18, 2011 by D&Y | 1 Comment

Kutahya 18th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Rose water sprinkler from Kütahya Turkey (first half of 18th c.). White paste, white slip and transparent, colorless glaze. The sprinkler has a ring foot and is decorated underglaze in yellow, turquoise, cobalt blue and brownish red with black outlining. Around the body medallions with flowers exist. The upper section of the neck was covered with a silver or metal cap, now missing. Excellent sample from Kütahya’s great pottery tradition.

Posted on June 11, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Pottery in Greece - Παραδοσιακά Ελληνικά Κεραμικά 19ος & 20ος

Posted on June 4, 2011 by D&Y

Η κεραμική είναι μία από τις πιο αρχαίες ανθρώπινες δραστηριότητες. Χώμα, νερό και φωτιά. Με τα ίδια αυτά υλικά που κατασκευάστηκαν τα πρώτα αγγεία μερικές χιλιάδες χρόνια πριν, έπλασαν και συνεχίζουν να πλάθουν μέχρι σήμερα οι νεώτερες γενιές αγγειοπλαστών τα δικά τους δημιουργήματα. Τα σημαντικότερα αγγειοπλαστικά κέντρα που λειτουργούσαν μέχρι το πρόσφατο παρελθόν εντός των ελληνικών συνόρων, ήταν η Πάτρα, ο Μεσσηνιακός Κόλπος (περιοχή Κορώνης), η Ζάκυνθος και η Κέρκυρα στη Δυτική Ελλάδα, τα Γιάννινα και παλαιότερα η Άρτα στην Ήπειρο, η Φλώρινα, η Κοζάνη και η Θεσσαλονίκη στη Μακεδονία, οι Μεταξάδες, η Ξάνθη και το Σουφλί στη Θράκη, ο Βόλος, το Φανάρι, η Καρδίτσα, ο Τύρναβος και η Αγιά στη Θεσσαλία, η Σίφνος και η Κύθνος στις Κυκλάδες, η Σκύρος στις Σποράδες, η Σάμος, η Χίος και η Λέσβος στο Ανατολικό Αιγαίο, η Κως και η Ρόδος στα Δωδεκάνησα, η Χαλκίδα στην Εύβοια, η Κρήτη, η Αίγινα και φυσικά η περιοχή της Αττικής.

THE NEW GREEK POTTERY PAGE IS ON AIR WITH MORE THAN 70 UNIQUE ITEMS – ENJOY THEIR FOLK ELEGANCE & BEAUTY.

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Pottery in Greece - Greek Ceramics in 19th - 20th century

Posted on May 28, 2011 by D&Y

The most important pottery centers in Greece until the recent past, were the Messinian Gulf (Koroni’s area) and Patra in Peloponese, Zakynthos and Corfu in the Ionian Islands, Ioannina and Arta in Epirus, Florina, Kozani and Thessaloniki in Macedonia, Metaxades, Soufli and Xanthi in Thrace, Volos, Fanari, Karditsa, Tirnavos and Ayia in Thessaly, Sifnos and Kythnos in Cyclades, Skyros in Sporades, Samos, Chios and Lesvos in the eastern Aegean Sea, Kos and Rhodes in the Dodecanese, Chalkis in Euboea, the islands of Crete and Aegina and of course the region of Attica.

THE NEW GREEK POTTERY PAGE IS ON AIR WITH MORE THAN 70 UNIQUE ITEMS – ENJOY THEIR FOLK ELEGANCE & BEAUTY.

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Puglia (Italy) 19th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Jug from Grottaglie (province of Taranto, Puglia, southern Italy). The front is painted with a rooster between two trees (typical background for Grottaglie’s painted ceramics). The ceramic production has represented the wealth of the town for centuries. The numerous ceramic finds, tracing back to the Classical Age, reveal the antique roots of this handicrafts production which was privileged by the presence of considerable amounts of clay in the surrounding territory. This type of jug is called “srulu” in local dialect (h 32 cm, 19th century). Private collection Athens, Greece.

Brocca (srulu) di Grottaglie decorate a stelle e con il gallo, simbolo della maiolica grottagliese. La brocca e databile seconda meta’ dell’ 800. Altezza 32 cm. Coll. Privata, Atene.

Posted on May 25, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Caltagirone (Sicily) 19th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Pottery water jug from Caltagirone. The jug is dated 1888 and decorated with the rose pattern, a classical motif for this type of pots. Caltagirone (Sicilian : Caltaggiruni) is a town in the province of Catania, in central Sicily. The city’s name derives from the arabic “qal’at-al-ghiran” (“Hill of Vases”). It’s known in Italy as “The city of Sicilian ceramics” due to its thousand-year-old tradition.
Brocca in ceramica di Caltagirone, datata 1888, Coll. Privata, Atene.

Posted on May 20, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Pesaro Jar 18th - Private Collection Athens Greece

A maiolica apothecary jar from Pesaro, Italy. Late 18th century, pottery example from the workshop of Casali Callegari, decorated with stylized flowers in daisy pattern. The art of earth and fire in Pesaro dates back to the thirteenth century. From the second half of the Fourteenth century Pesaro became one of the centers of artistic ceramics with great influence and importance. Height 19,5 cm, Private collection Athens Greece.
Vaso da farmacia. Decorazione alla margherita, h. cm 19,5. Pesaro, fabbrica Casali Callegari, seconda meta del XVIII sec. Coll. Privata, Atene.

Posted on May 17, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Potters from the ICARO Rodi Manufactory - Nikolaos Yasiranis

Posted on May 15, 2011 by D&Y

One of the most well known Rhodian potters is Nikolaos Yasiranis that was born in Rhodes in 1901. Yasiranis received his first lessons in pottery from his father Savvas that used to be a potter in Asia Minor. As a child he worked as an apprentice in a pottery workshop in Rhodes and later set up his own in the village of Archangelos. At the age of 27 he was one of the first locals to be hired as a craftsman by the Italian manufactory of ICARO (see “Greece / ICARO-ΙΚΑΡΟ” page for more information).
In 1944 N. Yasiranis desided to left ICARO and returned to Archangelos in order to restart his old workshop. Although at the begining he imitated some of the ICARO production (see Madonna di Filerimos), being inspired and influenced by the local tradition, he worked freely on plates, pots with anthropomorphic shapes and clay dolls with the traditional costumes of the Dodecanese Islands. Nikolaos Yasiranis retired in 1957 (workshop continued by his son Stephanos) and died in 1973.

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Calvello (S. Italy) Plate 20th - Private Collection Greece

Maiolica plate from Calvello (South Italy). Calvello sits on a steep hillside in the middle of Basilicata, a mountainous region wedged between Puglia and Calabria. For centuries, apart from sheep farming and breeding, Calvello has produced fine tiles and ceramics. The Calvello potters developed their own unique style. The bird is a recurring theme on dishes, jugs, vases and other vessels of the local production. Mid-20th century, private collection Athens Greece.
Piatto in maiolica di Callvelo, Vasilicata. Uccello al centro (XX sec.). Coll. Privata, Atene.

Posted on May 14, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Romania Pitcher 20th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Zoomorphic ceramic pitcher from the village Poieniţa in Argeş, (southern central Romania). The mouth has been formatted in the shape of a mouflon’s head with horns in full curl. The European Mouflon (Ovis ammon musimon) is thought to be one of the two ancestors for all modern domestic sheep breeds. Acclimatized especially in the mountains of southern Romania, the mouflon is an important part of the country’s natural heritage. This pitcher is dated 1957.

Posted on May 14, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Greek (Lesvos) Pitcher 20th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Wedding pitcher from Agios Stefanos of Mantamados village (island of Lesbos, NE Aegean Sea). This is a characteristic earthenware vessel with many handles, decorated with beautiful floral motifs made by white slip. The two large handles symbolize the married couple and the smaller symbolize the children who would be born in the future. The pitcher in the local dialect is called Λαηνίδα του γάμου (lainida tou gamou). Late 20th century, private collection Athens Greece

Posted on May 14, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Greece (Chios) Jug 20th - Private Collection Greece

Four handled earthenware jug from the island of Chios (Aegean Sea, Greece). A typical example of ceramic production from the village of Armolia, decorated with white slip and green glaze which bond well with the semi-porous surface. Armolia is located about 20Km SW of the city of Chios. The Armolousians have a long tradition in making and decorating ceramics such as: pitchers, vases, jars, bowls and cups. This water jug was made in mid 20th century and in the local dialect is named Nebotis (Νεμπότης).

Posted on May 11, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Samos (Greece) 20th - Private Collection Greece

Wine jugs from the island of Samos (Aegean Sea, Greece). The muscat grape is the main decorative motif on these pots, which were made at the potteries of Karlovasi in the middle of 20th century. Samos Muscat wine is famous worldwide and is produced by a specific grape variety which is cultivated on the island’s mountain slopes. The ceramic tradition of Samos begins in ancient times when in the island were produced high quality ceramics.

Posted on May 7, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Napoli or Ariano 19th - Private collection Greece

Big ceramic plate from South Italy (19th century, d 48 cm). This plate belongs probably to the ceramic production of Naples (Napoli) or Ariano. A female figure holding a spear with a cross at its base, dominates the center. The confronted trees are a characteristic and common decorative motif of the region. Both the Naples area and the Ariano are well known for the exceptional quality and beauty of their ceramics, which are highly sought after by collectors.
Grande piatto con la figura di una donna. Fabbriche di Napoli o Ariano, sec. XIX, diam. cm 48. Coll. Privata, Atene.

Posted on May 6, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Romania 20th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Large ceramic pitcher from Vama village in Oaş region of Northern Transylvania (county of Satu Mare, Romania). The pitcher has a traditional shape and painted decoration inspired by the bright colors (white and red) of the local folk costumes. With a capacity of 5-10 liters these pοts were used for storing wine or brandy. Vama is four kilometers south of Negresti-Oas, traditionally a ceramics and pottery centre of which little evidence remains today.

Posted on May 4, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Aegina Greece – Water Jug with the Image of JFK (John F. Kennedy)

Posted on May 1, 2011 by D&Y

Water jug from the Greek island of Aegina (c. 1965). The vessel is made from local yellowish clay with characteristic floral decoration. The particularity however, is at the base of the neck, where is placed in relief form the image of U.S. president J. Kennedy. Perimetrically of the President’s image is written “JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY 1917- 1963”. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th and the first Catholic Irish American President of the United States, serving from 1961 until 1963. Kennedy was assassinated by a sniper on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. His assassination affected many people, not only in the U.S. but around the world. Kennedy features prominently in popular culture and even today continues to rank highly in public opinion ratings of former U.S. presidents. The potter from Aegina created his mold probably copying a medal from the hundreds that have been released worldwide with Kennedy’s image. In this way he wanted to honor the memory of a great personality that had a tragic and unexpected end. This rare ceramic shows the influence of world events in pottery production, even if these occur thousands of miles away.

Posted in Athens & Surroundings, Greek Ceramics | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Greek Revolution of 1821 in French Ceramics (Philhellenism and the Factories in Montereau, Choisy & Toulouse)

Posted on April 30, 2011 by D&Y

Philhellenism in France right after the Greek revolution of 1821 against the Ottoman Empire, was experienced as a cultural phenomenon. After the massacre of Chios in 1822, Greek heroes like Marcos Botsaris, Alexandros Mavrokordatos, Constantine Kanaris and Andreas Miaoulis gained equal importance with Achilles, Agamemnon and the other ancient Greeks. Eugene Delacroix’s painting “The Massacre of Chios” presenting some of the horror that resulted in the deaths of 20.000 Greeks and the slavery of almost all the surviving inhabitants of the island of Chios in 1822 and the death of Lord Byron in 1824, made the French people to want to know better the Greeks. In April 6 1825, the “Journal des Debats” urged the French “In favor of the Greeks” insisting for the financial aid of the Greek Cause.
It is in that period that three manufactories of faience (in Choisy-le-Roi, Montereau and Toulouse) will be inspired by the Greek revolution and will circulate faience (mostly plates) with the stories of Greek Heroes.

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Florence prob. (Giunta di Tugio) ca.1431 - Metropolitan Museum NY

Some of the earliest jugs and bowls of that period were made in Orvieto (Umbria), Perugia and Tuscany, especially Florence that as a great mercantile centre of Italy was open to influences imported from Spain, Low Countries and the Orient. Motifs of that age were simple and colours available were purple and turquoise green. One of the finest potters of that era and probably the earliest Italian potter we can attribute existing wares of maiolica with confidence is Giunta di Tugio di Giunta.
THE NEW ITALIAN PRE-1600 CERAMICS PAGE IS ON AIR WITH MORE THAN 55 UNIQUE ITEMS – ENJOY THEIR ELEGANCE & BEAUTY.

Posted on April 24, 2011 by D&Y | 1 Comment

Urbino (Italy) 16th - Lehman Collection Metropolitan Museum NY

Plate from Urbino dated and signed by Francesco Xanto Avelli da Rovigo, 1532. The scene represents Phaethon’s sisters (the Heliads) being changed into elms and his friend Cygnus into a swan. The shield of Pucci of Florence in the center of the plate. On the back inscribed in Latin –“into a swan and Clymene’s daughters changed into elms / Ovid’s Metamorphoses”, (bibliography: Italian Majolica in the Robert Lehman Collection – Jorg Rasmussen, 1989). This completely new style of decorating pottery with stories from classical myths of the Bible emerged in Italy at the end of the 15th century. Known as istoriato, the style flourished in the Duke of Urbino’s lands, where several pottery painters established workshops.

Posted on April 24, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Deruta (Italy) 16th - V&A; London UK

Plate from Deruta in Umbria with distinctive painting of two riders dated around 1520. By the 1460s workshops in Deruta (Umbria) mastered the method of painting ceramics with metal luster. Deruta made large quantities of lustreware until the end of the 16th century, when the technique fell out of fashion.

Posted on April 24, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Canakkale 18th or early 19th - Suna Inan Museum (photo from their Web Site)

Suna & Inan Kıraç Kaleiçi Museum is located in two historic buildings in Kaleiçi of old Antalya. One of the two buildings of the museum is the former Greek Orthodox Church of ST. George (Άγιος Γεώργιος in Greek) that is the exhibition hall of the museum. The Canakkale collection of the Suna & Inan KIRAC museum is one of the most important due to both the number of items (catalogue comprises 232 Canakkale wares) but also the rich variety of forms (plates, jugs, jars, bowls, vases, gas lamps, mugs, animal figurines, ewers (ibrik) among others). A must visit museum for lovers of Canakkale caramics and Canakkale pottery.

Posted on April 22, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Canakkale 18th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Exceptional example of an early Canakkale ceramic. Large jar with double handles dated from the mid 18th century. Bulbous body tapering down to a flat base, short neck, and a pair of small handles. Red earthenware with four large medallions on body decorated with brush strokes.

THE NEW CANAKKALE PAGE (YOU CAN FIND IT UNDER THE ISLAMIC CERAMICS PAGE) IS ON AIR WITH MORE THAN 70 UNIQUE ITEMS - ENJOY THEIR WILD BEAUTY.

Posted on April 21, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Canakkale 19th - Private Collection Athens Greece

The fearsome head of a Giant Dragon-Lion, made ​​in Çanakkale (late 19th century). The intense gaze, the powerful teeth, the twisting mustaches and the tongue that greedily springs from the open mouth, provides a wild beauty in this ceramic. Ceramic animals of this size (the height of this lion is over 40 cm) are extremely rare in Çanakkale pottery, because of their limited production. A much desired object for every collector. (Private collection, Athens Greece).

THE NEW CANAKKALE PAGE (YOU CAN FIND IT UNDER THE ISLAMIC CERAMICS PAGE) IS ON AIR WITH MORE THAN 70 UNIQUE ITEMS - ENJOY THEIR WILD BEAUTY.

Posted on April 16, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Cyprus (Kornos) 20th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Vatta (in Greek : Βάττα με τα ποτούδκια), decorative ceramic vessel from the village of Kornos Cyprus (20th century). Kornos is one of the famous pottery centers in Cyprus, where pottery has the form of cottage industry. The pots are made exclusively by women working at home, using a primitive potter’s wheel positioned at a short distance from the ground. This kind of products is often unique and distinctive given the fact that they are not mass-produced.

Posted on April 14, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

The Beauty of Canakkale Plates

Posted on April 13, 2011 by D&Y


Canakkale plates (tabak), all with red earthenware dated to the late 18th or beginning of the 19th century. Deep dishes with flat everted rim, narrowing to a ring base. At the centre of the dishes, we see composition of free brush strokes arranging forms as the wheel of fortune or stylized floral motives.

Posted in Canakkale, Islamic Ceramics | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Bulgaria (Balkans) - Private Collection Athens Greece

Pitcher with relief decoration dated from the 19th century. Excelent example from the folk ceramic tradition of Bulgaria (Balkans).
The Balkans (often referred as the Balkan Peninsula), is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe that takes its name from the mountains that run through the centre of Bulgaria into Eastern Serbia. The Balkans, (“Balkan” comes from a Turkish word meaning “a chain of wooded mountains”, also the ancient Greek name for the Balkan Peninsula was the “Peninsula of Haemus” – Χερσόνησος του Αίμου in Greek), is a major crossroad between mainland Europe and the Near East. Its unique identity owes much to its violent history of the last 1000 years but also its very mountainous geography. (Source: Wikipedia The free encyclopedia)

Posted on April 12, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Greece (Florina) 20th - Private Collection Athens Greece

A pair of water pitchers from Florina (Northern Greece). The mouth of the pots has the shape of a horse head and in the body, rosettes and a central medallion with a human head can be found, all gilded over the glaze. On the handle there is the typical hole similar to the pitchers from Balkans. These pots were made by Greek potters who came as refugees in Florina from Canakkale, after 1922. The influence of Canakkale ceramics, as well as of the local traditional pottery is more than obvious.

Posted on April 10, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Pesaro 18th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Wine ceramic jug from Pesaro Italy (end of the 18th c.). The jug is inscribed in Greek with a drinking verse and is decorated with bouquets of brightly colored foliage. At the bottom there is the mark of Casali and Callegari (C.C.) manufactory (period Ippolito Casali & Filippo A. Callegari, 1787 – 1810). The verse in Greek is: Δεν πίνουν οι Τούρκοι το κρασί, το πίνουν οι Ρωμαίοι, το πίνουν η φτωχολογιά, ν’ αλησμονούν τα χρέη (that in free translation says, it is not the Turks that drink the wine, it is the Greeks, it is the poor people in order to forget the debts). Above the verse there are initials (Θ. ΓΡ.) probably from the person that made the order or the one who was going to receive the jug as a present.

Posted on April 10, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Canakkale 19th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Canakkale plate dated from the first half of 19th century. Red earthenware with a clover-shaped medallion in the centre full with floral rosettes and leaves. Motif is completed by lacework edges. This kind of plates depicting centrally composed decorations were produced from the 2nd half of the 18th century till the 1st half of the 19th century.

Posted on April 9, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Canakkale 19th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Although Canakkale ceramics come with many forms, especially loved and immediate recognizable are the Canakkale jugs with bulbous bodies, long necks and crowded colorful ornamentation. Characteristic example is the one in the photo in bright green glaze, eye like rosettes on both sides of the mouth, rosettes and flowers in relief decorating the front of the body and the neck.

Posted on April 7, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Canakkale 19th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Example of Canakkale Pottery - two pairs of Canakkale plates dated from the first half of 19th century. Red earthenware with light - yellow glaze, and a stylized motif composed of discrete brush strokes, with additional brush strokes on the rim (first pair). Motif for the second pair is composed with free brush stokes laid out like a triangle with discretely laid brush strokes on the border.

Posted on April 6, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Canakkale 19th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Horse-shaped ceramic cup from Canakkale Turkey (late 19th or early 20th century). Red earthenware and a brown body sporadically receiving splashes of green and white. The bridles are folded on the saddle and a large rosette rests on the chest. A hole on the tail is for filling and a small opening on the mouth for pouring out the contents. These beautiful clay objects in the form of horses, lions, camels and other animals belong to the most desirable items for many collectors of this kind of pottery.

Posted on April 5, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Iznik 17th - Benaki Museum Athens Greece

Dish from Iznik with a female figure (first half of the 17th century). The woman wears a long green belted dress, a blouse with blue sleeves, white trousers, red shoes and a colourful tall hat. She holds a bouquet with three red tulips. Flowers on thin curved stems fill the area around her. The rim shows a standardised Chinese motif of waves and rocks. This human figure is more elegant than the brutish figures which began to appear in Iznik pottery from the mid 17th century.

Posted on April 3, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Iran 13th - Metropolitan Museum NY

A new page is just uploaded with the story (in brief) of the ceramics from Islamic lands and 32 photos to give an example of the superb achievements of Islamic potters. Enjoy it…

Posted on April 2, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment

Posted on March 31, 2011 by D&Y

Wine ceramic jug from Pesaro Italy (end of the 18th c.). This jug is decorated with a beautiful peacock in the front and smaller ones all around the jug. With a double scroll handle and polychrome painting. G. M. mark at the bottom from Giovanni Mariotti (1772 - ?) pottery manufactory in Marche region.

Posted in Italian Ceramics, Pesaro | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Canakkale 19th - Private Collection Athens Greece

Canakkale Jug dated from the late 19th century. Bulbous body with long neck and mouth shaped like the head of a horse bearing wings along its neck. Its tail is used as a handle for the jug. In the middle of the body, an eagle spreads its wings with its head turned at one side and at the edge two candlesticks. Dark brown glaze with colorful decorations along its body.

Posted on March 30, 2011 by D&Y | Leave a comment