What is more beautiful than a handmade product packaged with great care and passion? Creating an article in maiolica is a long and patient process that can encounter many obstacles and failures along the way. Let's see together how artisanal ceramics are made!

Modeling and drying: transforming raw materials into spectacular masterpieces

The first phase involves the processing, which can be done using techniques such as coil building, slab construction, or with the help of a pottery wheel. Once the desired shape is achieved, the material needs to dry to reach the ideal consistency, known as 'leather-hard.' Drying involves removing the water from the clay through evaporation. The required drying times are not always the same (typically ranging from 10 to 20 days), and they can vary depending on the thickness and size of the product.

This stage is very delicate, as it is likely that our work may break or get damaged. Years of experience from our staff allow us to implement essential precautions to make these unpleasant incidents impossible.

Bisque firing: from fragile to durable

Once the 'leather-hard' stage is reached, the artifact is refined and sponge-smoothed to eliminate any imperfections and impurities. At this point, it is ready for the first firing, called 'bisque firing.' The firing times vary depending on the size of the piece, and the object can only be removed from the kiln after it has completely cooled down. At this moment, the object transitions from fragile to durable!

Glazing: a complex technique

If everything has gone well so far, we move on to glazing, a technique that requires meticulousness, practice, and expertise. Before proceeding, the product must be carefully dusted to remove any residue with compressed air or a slightly damp sponge, but caution must be exercised to avoid rubbing before glazing. Residues on the hands could, in fact, close the pores, preventing the even absorption of the glaze. During this procedure, it is essential to carefully apply the right and uniform amount of glaze to the surface to prevent imperfections from forming after firing. Each item is immersed in the liquid glaze and cleaned, with any necessary refinements, to achieve the highest quality. At this point, it is ready to be handed over to the decorators, who will add color and style to the creation.

Bosa offers an incomparable range of colors as this process is carried out solely with products from our workshop.

The only limit to decoration is imagination

Subsequently, decoration can be carried out, which, in our case, is done by hand. It is important to determine the exact color density to counteract any imperfections. After that, the already glazed and decorated artifact becomes maiolica.

The genesis of our product is completed

Next, the final firing takes place, during which the glazes and colors fuse at 720°C, ensuring their authenticity and making the decoration indelible and resistant to atmospheric agents. After this final stage, the object is ready to be displayed and admired by our customers! Our ceramics are entirely handmade, and it is precisely this aspect that makes them unique and precious. Of course, being a living material, it is possible for unexpected events to occur at any time during the process, but it is these challenges that make the ceramist even more determined and passionate about what they do.

If reading this article has conveyed our passion to you and you are curious to see our unique and high-quality products, hurry and visit our website to discover all the Made in Italy items that the world of Bosa offers you!