History of Ceramics in Tuscany

Impruneta “cotto” - 1

The Middle Ages

The economic growth and the population increase of the 12th and 13th centuries encouraged the development of what was to become the main manufacture in Impruneta. They exploited local clay which was of a quality suitable for making all kinds of bricks and vessels. And so, already by the end of the 13th century the production of terracotta was no longer a secondary activity. On March 23rd 1903, in fact, 23 local potters met to draw up the statute for this craft “mezzinariorum et urceorum plebatus Sancte Marie Impinete”. This document shows how local improduction consisted of jugs (“mezzine”) for transporting water and jars (“orci”) for storing liquids and dry goods.
Although they are not mentioned in the statute, it is easy to assume how all kinds of bricks and tiles were also fired in the same kilns.

Research in its history is presently not in a position to follow local production through the 14th century, but land registers from the 15th century show how in the centre of Impruneta alone, there were at least ten factories in constant production. At that time, besides, there is an increase in the documents related to the supplies from the owners of these local kilns to hospitals and convents in Florence. The development of earthenware in the late Middle Ages can be testified also by the emigration of these craftsmen.
Potters from Impruneta could be found in various Tuscan cities such as San Gimignano, Asciano and Anghiari and later in Rome.

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