Looking for Italian dinnerware? That's not surprising as many who live far from its shores admire the beauty, ambiance and cultivated style of Italy, seeking to bring that aura into their homes. This is especially true of the unique style of Italian dinnerware which is exceptionally colorful, beautifully designed and hard-wearing. Buy pieces of Italian dinnerware, care for them properly and you will have heirlooms your descendants will admire.
What are the best varieties of Italian dinnerware? A number of excellent companies spring to mind. Some of the most famous names in Italian dinnerware are Vietri, Gubbio,Deruta, Artistica, as well as other makers who produce Italian-style dinnerware such as Mikasa and Pfaltzgraff. Each maker has a different story and concentrates on a different style of Italian stoneware and other types of dinnerware.
Vietri, for instance, synonymous with Italian dinnerware in the U.S., is actually an American company co-founded by two American women who, in traveling to Italy fell in love with hand-painted Italian designs and started an import company. Today, Vietri is the largest importer of Italian tabletop items in the U.S., bringing in goods from over 40 manufacturers. Among Vietri's many offerings are blown glassware, urns, planters, stainless and pewter flatware and more. Part of its mission is to preserve the tradition of craftsmanship and artistry that is uniquely Italian.
Deruta Ceramics, on the other hand is a real Italian company, located in Deruta, the oldest town still producing majolica in the old style. Deruta, a small town in Umbria, is world -famous for its ceramics, maintaining an unbroken line of craftsmanship dating to the Etruscan period before the Roman empire.
Producing a wide variety of Italian ceramic items, ranging from the classic tableware to vases and special items, all majolica pieces are hand painted and all pieces, except for the tiles and dinner dishes (which must be stamped to be uniform) are hand-thrown, by artists living in Deruta. Deruta Ceramics also offers art pieces by famed locally-based artist Romano Ranieri.
Many other Italian ceramics companies produce fine Italian dinnerware and Italian ceramics in the majolica style. The art of Italian craftsmanship runs so deep that even today artists are turning out beautiful pieces in traditional as well as more modern styles. Hand-painted, hand-crafted, hand-thrown are the bywords of true Italian-crafted dinnerware.
Italian ceramics are so famous and so sought after that manufacturers like Mikasa and Pfaltzgraff have added collections of Italian dinnerware to their repertoire. Is it really Italian? Well, you be the judge. Neoclassical Italian country dinnerware is one line offered by Mikasa and it is elegant and serviceable. One set offered by Pfaltzgraff is called Villa de la Luna, decorated in the Italian style and modernized for today's taste. Is it hand-painted? No. Is it hand-thrown? No Is it had-crafted? No, but for what it is, it is lovely. Choose Italian dinnerware from the heart.
Diane Butler lives in Southern California whose mild Mediterranean climate reminds her of her many trips of Italy. It's easier to remember the ambiance of Italy when using Italian dinnerware and drinking fine Chianti. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Butler |
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