The Atelier
When you admire the beauty of a handmade deBlona majolica, both through sight and touch, imagine stepping into our atelier and experiencing each moment of its creation alongside us.
How does a handful of clay become a deBlona masterpiece?
Everything begins with what Nature has already provided: earth, water, air, and fire. Like an alchemist, the artist carefully combines these elements, mastering the perfect balance between technique and soul to transform raw clay into an exquisite work of art.
Our journey begins with the shaping phase, where a skillful dance of hands and water transforms a simple mass of clay into form.
This delicate molding is followed by the drying stage, where the fresh clay rests at room temperature. Once dried, the first firing takes place at around 1100°C. After at least 24 hours of anticipation, the kiln is opened, revealing the ceramic bisque—now ready for its next transformation.
Next comes the glazing phase, essential for waterproofing. After another day, the piece is prepared for the most expressive stage: painting. Here, color breathes life and character into the ceramic, turning it into a truly unique work of art. The intricate and complex art of painting ceramics requires deep expertise, as the artist skillfully navigates the challenges that arise. It is, however, the imperfect human touch that gives majolica its distinct beauty and charm.
Once painted, the ceramic is enhanced with brilliance and durability through crystallization, and then returns to the kiln for the second firing at around 940°C—what we lovingly call the “cooking of beauty.” For pieces adorned with precious metals such as 24KT gold, platinum, or ruby, the final act is the “third fire” (or small fire), a particularly intricate process handled by a master artisan, achieved at approximately 740°C.
Each piece is signed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, certifying its originality and limited edition status.
For centuries, majolica has been intertwined with human history, a timeless art form reflecting the spirit of its era. In our atelier, we carry this legacy forward, creating works that embody the story of our time.