For ceramics fans..a new factory outlet has just opened between Viterbo and Rome that sells the dinnerwares of VARM, until now only sold at impt. USA and UK shops such as Saks 5th Ave, Macys, Marks & Spencers,etc. The prices are about 60% less than in the States and a discount card gives you another 10% off. It is a real factory outlet, the factory being just up the road in Civita Castellana. The designer has recently won another int'l prize as world's best ceramics designer. If you are going to be in the Umbria-Lazio-Rome area its worth the trip. Mary Jane
Mary Jane Elegant Etruria: Accommodations in Lazio and other places in Italy
We bought some wonderful ceramics in a shop named Sbigoli behind the Duomo a number of years ago. I just did a google search and the business appears to still be up and running. Address is: Via S. Egidio, 4/r (zona Piazza del Duomo). I believe the shop carries Deruta, but the main attraction is their very own wares produced in a workroom within the shop. Their decoration is unique and very beautiful - and I recall that the prices were very reasonable. Enjoy!
Posts: 27 | Location: Massachusetts | Registered: 18 June 2001
I believe Sbigoli is all their own production! Some of their things are in the Deruta style. They also give classes now teaching traditional decoration-
Judy Divina Cucina Florence Everyone should try being Italian at least once a day!!
I am hoping Diva can help with this. There is a shop that I reached by leaving San Lorenzo and walking perhaps 2 blocks? and it was on the left. They have things from all over Italy, and I bought many things there. THEY wrapped everything and shipped it to me in the US, and the packing was perfect. They also didn't charge much for shipping. I had spent about $1000 US for things mostly for clients, and I think freight and packing came to less than $40. I sit here looking at a beautiful and enormous "baby bath" basin from Montelupo that went to the US and came back with me. It says "Ceramica d'Arte" on the sticker, but I don't know if that's the shop or the source in Montelupo. If I ever figure out its name for sure, I will always send people there, because the quality was really fine and the people extraordinarily great to work with.
Posts: 2751 | Location: Umbria | Registered: 13 September 2001
There are so many shops here near the Central Market, most of them behind the stands... Judith, if you give me better details I will find out what the name of the one you went to is.
I adore the Montelupo ceramics myself... it is also an easy train ride from Florence, about 30 minutes. I will put together a list of my favorite shops in Florence.
Judy Divina Cucina Florence Everyone should try being Italian at least once a day!!
I also enjoyed visiting Montelupo, and there is a large variety of ceramics shops in the town. I really treasure the large jar I splurged on at Ceramica ND Dolfi.
For Stefano and others who want to purchase fine handpainted dinnerware at 60-70% off the price in shops in USA.Varm's factory outlet shop is located at km. 43 Via Cassia in Monterosi, on the Via Cassia between Rome and Viterbo. I'll send you their website address, you can also order online, but the preferable way is to wander through the huge shop and see the different patterns, pick up the plates and decide for yourself, then load them in the car . If you are coming this way I can mail you a special fedelity card or tessera that gives you another 10% off the prices. Mary jane
Mary Jane Elegant Etruria: Accommodations in Lazio and other places in Italy
I stand corrected.. Sbigoli also has ceramics from Deruta as well as their own designs. there is also a great shop right in front of the Bargello Musuem with fabulous Della Robbia's, their production( from Montelupo) and also Deruta.
Judy Divina Cucina Florence Everyone should try being Italian at least once a day!!
Mary Jane, that would be great. I will be in Italy in late October for about 3 weeks, staying at my home in Panicale, but traveling around a bit. Thanks.
Posts: 73 | Location: Los Angeles | Registered: 25 April 2002
My little ceramic shop is on the way leaving the San Lorenzo Market...on the way to Via Nazionale.... on the left. It is a father and son shop.. the dad does handpainted little woodend boxesm frames etc..with the gold leave and tooling. They used to ship by Italain post..which was very cheap... but now use UPS...great prices and things from Deruta..and Montelupo and more and they have a web page
What more could you ask for! Try name dropping..friends get special treatment!
Judy Divina Cucina Florence Everyone should try being Italian at least once a day!!
Chris fixed the url...
[This message was edited by Chris on September 19, 2002 at 01:32 PM.]
If you wear your apron out into the market, I could recognize you instantly, and then we could fall into each others arms crying "Giuditta!" and amaze the crowds. Really, I do need to shake the Umbrian weeds from my pant legs and get up there book shopping. I've never been so lazy about going places in my life. I keep thinking how lucky I am being where I want to be and forgetting that the bookstore has only Steven King and Danielle Steele.
Posts: 2751 | Location: Umbria | Registered: 13 September 2001
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