Deruta: A Tradition of Italian Ceramics [Hardcover]

Elizabeth Helman Minchilli (Author), David Hamilton (Author, Photographer), Susie Cushner (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1998

The world can never get enough of wonderful Italy and all things Italian. The famed ceramics of Deruta are certainly no exception. The first comprehensive book to celebrate the design and evolution of this extraordinary art form, Deruta is exquisitely illustrated with over 150 colorful photographs of coveted "majolica." The author and photographers, working with Melanie Doherty, who was a designer in Italy for several years, dramatically portray the splendors of this living tradition. We see the finest examples of Deruta tableware and tilework as well as garden decorations, fa?ades, altars, and architectural details. While some pieces are highly collectible, others are inexpensive and perfect for everyday use. Deruta also includes profiles of the artisans' studios and a gallery of their work, as well as evocative black-and-white photos of the hill town they call home. With a history of the craftan artistic heritage more than six centuries oldthis singular volume is a musthave for collectors and for anyone inspired by Deruta ceramics, decorative art pieces that evoke the spirit of the Italian countryside.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

These two stunning books differ in style and technique yet complement each other in beauty and execution. The first, published for the centenary of the New York State College of Ceramics in Alfred, is an exquisite and informative exhibition catalog celebrating the life and work of Charles Fergus Binns, a master potter, teacher, and founding director of the college. Introductory essays focus on Binns's career at the Royal Worcester Porcelain Works in England, the origins of the college, his successful combination of technical and artistic development, and his glazing techniques and Oriental influences. The book includes a catalogue raisonne of the exhibition. Color plates featuring 60 of the celebrated pieces serve as a visual introduction to the exhibit, while the rest of the photographs document Binns, his works, and the college. A third section of brief essays highlights the lives of 11 of Binns's most notable students, all masters in their own right. Deruta celebrates the achievements of the Umbrian hillside town celebrated since the 16th century for the colorfully glazed Italian ceramic pottery known as majolica. The book opens with a focus on the history of the town from the Middle Ages to the present, then moves on to detail the traditional production techniques and methods of decoration in use for centuries. The final section highlights the work of six family production studios in Deruta today. The book is generously illustrated with photos of these bold and vibrant works of art. Both titles are highly recommended for public and academic libraries alike.?Stephen Allan Patrick, East Tennessee State Univ. Lib., Johnson City
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Italophiles, majolica fans, and even design aficionados could linger over the pages of this produced-with-passion book from Minchilli and her design and photographer cohorts. For many reasons, this book excels. First, it grounds readers in Italian ceramics history beyond simple ceramics production, particularly in how the Umbrian hill town of Deruta began and continued its recorded life. Second, the author teaches about manufacturing with great visuals and few words and certainly no preaching. And from her expertise arises the third element of her book's excellence, which is her focus on a sampling of today's artisans--including Franco Mari, Antonio Margaritelli, and Francesca Niccacci--and certain workshops that fashion exquisitely different yet related majolica. Educational, inspiring, and worth more than mere coffee-table status. Barbara Jacobs

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; First edition (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811817946
• ISBN-13: 978-0811817943
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #593,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elizabeth Helman Minchilli is the author of six books on the joys of Italian life. Her latest book is Italian Rustic, to be released by Artisan in November 2009. She is the author of Restoring a Home in Italy, now in it's third printing. Minchilli's passion for Italy led her from her native United States, where she studied architectural history, to Italy in 1987. She writes on architecture, design, food and travel for a variety of publications.
Assisting her on her latest book, Italian Rustic, is her husband, Domenico Minchilli, an architect who restores and builds homes in Italy and around the world.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A book that contains not only history but excellent pictures, September 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Deruta: A Tradition of Italian Ceramics (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent source of study, for the ones who want to know a little bit of the history of Deruta and its pottery tradition. For artists, it provides some wonderful pictures of many kinds of pottery in bright colours. The publishing quality is also very good.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars History of Deruta Pottery, October 30, 2002

By 

steve londino (Lynnwood, wa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deruta: A Tradition of Italian Ceramics (Hardcover)

I puchased this book for my wife who brought home some pottery when she was in Umbria. I was hoping for a book that had a lot of pictures of the different kinds of Deruta pottery. This book was a history of the pottery from 1200-present. Although it was not what I thought, it was still very informative and enjoyable. I would recommend to anyone who wants to find out the history of this beautiful Italian pottery

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bellisimo!, March 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Deruta: A Tradition of Italian Ceramics (Hardcover)

This is a beautiful book! I highly recommend it to anyone enchanted by Italian majolica and interested in it's history. After I read it, I thought I'd leave it on my coffee table for easy reference...but so many people at work have asked to borrow it! Even as I rode the train to work with the book in my lap, people next to me couldn't resist staring at the pictures and commenting on its beauty.