History of Ceramics in Tuscany

The firing kilns of Montopoli

The tradition of kilns in Montopoli certainly goes back to ancient times and is mainly connected to the production of bricks typically found in local buildings since medieval times. The Statute of Montopoli drawn up in 1360 mentions clearly the activity of kiln owners, while an area on the Montevecchio, the hill to the south-east of the town, was traditionally pointed out as the place where there were kilns, and it is very likely that it was here that they produced ceramics for household use.
Another ceramic production area, according to tradition, is near the estate of “La Marginetta”. There, (at Casa Guerriera) search in the topsoil produced fragments of “olle” (widemouthed pots) basins and tiles, which can be dated back to between 12th and 14th centuries, as well as archaic majolica, belonging to the middle of the 14th century.

In 1835, during the excavations in the foundations of Villa Belvedere, numerous pieces of glazed ceramics were found which point to another place where ceramics were produced. More recently, in the vicinity of palazzo Rossetti, various pieces of majolica have been found, dating from 1658 to 1760.
Records show that, in 1577, six terracotta craftsmen listed in the Arte dei Fabbricanti e Artieri (a guild) were working in Montopoli. The list included kiln operators, potters and earthenware craftsmen.

For Montopoli ceramics in XIX century, see:
> Dante Milani and the “terrecotte from Montopoli”.