Vietri ceramics represent one of the most vibrant and colorful expressions of Italian craftsmanship, renowned worldwide for its quality and originality. The ceramic tradition of this small town on the Amalfi Coast in Campania dates back to the 15th century, but it was in the 20th century that it experienced a real boom, becoming a symbol of the art and culture of the area.
Already in the medieval period, this area was known for its ceramic production, but it was between the two World Wars that it became a true center of artistic innovation. In the early 20th century, artists from all over Europe discovered Vietri, drawn by the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast and the ancient ceramic tradition of the place. Many of them, like the German Richard Dolker, helped to revitalize traditional techniques and introduce new styles and methodologies.
In the 1920s and '30s, under the influence of artists and craftsmen including Irene Kowaliska and Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg, the village became an experimental lab, mixing traditional Italian styles with modern and Art Deco influences.
Today, Vietri ceramics are easily recognizable for several distinctive features such as the use of bright and vivid colors like blue, green, yellow, and red; decorative patterns that often include marine themes, landscapes, natural elements, and everyday scenes, represented in a style that can vary from abstract to figurative; the use of special glazes that give the ceramics a characteristic glossy and shiny effect.
The production of Vietri ceramics still follows traditional methods today: the shapes of the ceramics are created both by hand and with the use of molds; after an initial firing, the ceramics are hand-decorated with glazes and natural pigments; finally, a second firing sets the colors and decorations, making each piece unique.
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