About Our Maiolica

Treasures of Sicily guarantees that each piece of maiolica it imports is individually handmade and hand painted. What this means is that no two pieces will ever be exactly the same. You may notice that the artist may have left small smudges or drops of paint in a piece, and there are slight variations in sizes and shapes between pieces. These characteristics show the true artistry and originality of each piece of maiolica.

Maiolica is durable and sturdy enough to use regularly in the kitchen and on the table, provided it is not subjected to extreme heat or cold. The pieces are also true works of art, and as such are often used to provide a unique and colourful display on walls and shelves.

History Of Maiolica

Maiolica is a form of ceramic earthenware made of fired clay, terra cotta, which has been moulded by hand by ceramic artisans. After the first firing, it is painted with a white tin under-glaze or ‘imprimatura’, which creates a brilliant white, opaque surface for painting. The product is then hand painted with intricate designs using metallic oxide glazing enamels and then fired a second time, resulting in a reflective, durable finish of brilliant colours. (Maiolica is not to be confused with Victorian majolica, an English imitation of maiolica using lead paints).

The technique used to make maiolica originated in the Middle East in the 9th century. The Moors imported it into Sicily through Spain and then via the Isle of Majorca in the 13th century, leading the Sicilians to erroneously ascribe its origin to Majorca, and calling it ‘maiolica’, adapting it using their own creativity and traditions. Sicilian clay has a unique mixture of silicates, making it especially
suitable for maiolica production.

The creative process for making maiolica remains the same as it was 500 years ago. The artist now uses an electric wheel to throw the clay, and wood burning kilns have been replaced by electric ones, but all the work that goes into creating the ceramics follows the same ancient tradition, especially the hand painting process, where quality and artistry define a true piece of Sicilian maiolica.