Visitors to the area can be tempted by some of the highest quality ceramic pieces in the world. It's a town that's well known and highly regarded for its traditional ceramic production, resulting in ceramic mosaics, tiles and shingles. It's a spectacular collection, demonstrating the superb results of hard work and talent in producing these finished mosaic pieces.Īnother notable Sicilian region to showcase brilliant ceramic work is that of Santo Stefano di Camastra. It includes a piece of mosaic Biblical figures which are set against a backdrop of gold mosaic tiles, and in addition includes around 130 separate mosaic scenes depicting events from the Bible. One of the key elements of Monreale ceramics is that the area's artists liked working in the field of mosaics – the results of which can be seen not only in local galleries, but in Duomo di Monreale.Ī visit to Duomo di Monreale is an amazing experience. Monreale boasts a number of craft shops and artisans displaying their work. One of the Sicilian regions best known for its ceramics is Monreale. It's hugely popular in Sicily and combines the best of both porcelain and terra cotta worlds. The common glazes used for majolica are viscous tin oxide colours which are used over a white imprimatura. Tin oxide glazing enamels are used to paint the clay before it is fired to a strong and reflective result – a notable aspect of Maiolica ceramics is that the clay is fired at a relatively low temperature. Maiolica is a type of ceramic earthenware and the first example of this type of ceramic was originally said to have first appeared in Arabic lands at around the time of the ninth century. Finally, the clay is crystallised and becomes stronger and firmer, resulting in its finished ceramic product.Ī common ceramic sold in Sicily today is Maiolica. Once the clay has been sun baked, it will then undergo a further bout of baking and firing in the kiln to give it that hardened, terra cotta quality. The clay is freshly mined from Sicilian valleys and mountains, and contains a mixture of unique silicates that give the material its special properties.Īfter mining, the potters and ceramic makers will mould and shape the clay to their precise requirements. Ceramic output grew in stature, and was especially popular in the eras of Norman and Hohenstaufen rule.Ī key reason for the popularity of Sicilian ceramics is the quality of the Sicilian clay. It's a region that is universally famed for its ceramics, and it is said that the first instances of production began around the era of the second century BC. One particular Sicilian area to develop ceramics was that of Caltagirone. Mycenaean pottery is said to have influenced Sicanian pottery in its style and appearance. In particular, it is said that the Sicanians were influenced by the Mycenaean culture, the Mycenaeans being a race of Indo-Europeans who melded into the Greek population around the era of 2800 BC. The trend for ceramic art can be traced back to the era of the Sicanians. Here then is an overview of the origins of ceramics in Sicily, its processes and common areas to produce these magnificent works of art. This unique art form has resulted in many great works of art being showcased in Sicilian areas, whether it is through museums, sights or even through artisans and traders in their shops and workshops. One of the most popular artistic elements of Sicily is ceramics.
John Bensalhia investigates the popularity of ceramics in Sicily, tracing the background, process and notable examples of this fine art.
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