Anyone know the names of the Pottery stores in Castellina? There are 2 I'm interested in particular but unfortunlatey I can't remember the names. One of them is "Bep" something and the other one, well my memory fails me. All I remember is that this store has sort of plain but very elegant pottery. I know someone knows what I'm talking about! Thanks.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,
It is Pep Bizzarie, on Via Trento e Trieste, a bit higher up from the Coop, on the same side.
Please say Hello! to Patrizia from the Canadian couple who stayed at Palazzo Squarcialupi and told them about Pep Bizzarie being famous on Slow Trav...
Patrizia is a wonderful lady, whom I remember with great pleasure. Pep (Patrizia, Elia, Passoni-the initials form the word PEP) are famous not only for the products but for the reasonable shipping costs.
Posts: 5894 | Location: Toronto | Registered: 26 May 2002
Thanks for the info. Next question: do they have a website? My parents are in Italy until January and I thought it would be nice to send them a little Christmas gift.
Hi, I came across a place by the name of 'LA TARTARUGA' Via della Rocca 6, 53011 Castellina in Chianti e-mail:tartarugastore@libero.it, the phone # on the brochure reads: 39 0577 742911 FAX:39 0577 741984 I was in this store in Oct. and Barbara Zammiiti was painting on her ceramics while I was in the small and lovely shop. I took some images of her while she painted and she asked me to send the images to her, as yet to be done. The brochures says 'you can find La Tartaruga left from the Church's entrance in the centre of Castellina in Chianti.' 'In winter call for appiontment'. They had some absolutely lovely things. Some with very delicate ladybugs on leaves and others more bold. Anyway, I hope that this too might help you. Wendy
Posts: 2992 | Location: Monterey Peninsula, California, USA | Registered: 07 September 2003
Another source for absolutely gorgeous (expensive)handpainted ceramics in the area is Ceramiche Rampini, just outside of Radda on the road to Gaiole. Unique and beautiful designs. http://www.chiantinet.it/rampiniceramics/welcome.html
My son and his wife stopped in at the Ceramiche Rampini workshop outside of Radda where they bought some beautiful plates and a cat for me....at the seconds table.
The work is exquisite, and expensive, but worth it. You can be in a pottery shop and spot a Rampini piece right away.
I could email them but from pictures on the web the stuff at Ceramiche Rampini looks amoung the best I have seen. Anyone have an idea of what dinner place settings run? I will be over there next month and wanted to get some pottery.
We visited Rampini and agree that it is the most beautiful pottery we saw our entire trip. Our only purchases were 2 mugs from the "seconds" room, as the prices are high. In ordering dinnerware, you first pick the basic shape or style you prefer, and then the designs, which can be combined to create a unique set (borders, colors, center design, etc). We overheard another American couple purchasing 8 place settings for several thousand euros pplus shipping. I'd have loved to have done the same! Elizabeth
I was enthralled by an antipasto set, a platter with 5 or 7 bowls that interlock and sit on the platter. It would have run about $600 to $800 depending on which pattern etc. Diva reported that a friend of hers bought Rampini and it crackled when hot food was put on it. I would hate to spend that much and not have it be properly heat proof. In any case, Kay put down her foot and we passed on the platter!
I got two Rampini mugs from their seconds room too - but mine chipped within a year and now one has a crack down the whole side so they are retired to be pencil holders. We bought them in 1999.
Their designs are beautiful. My notes from 1999: Prices in lire for the lemon design. tumbler 45,000 ($22) mug 50,000 ($25) medium plate 80,000 ($40) large plate 90,000 ($45) soup bowl 85,000 ($42)
I took a few photos when no one was around. Oops! I am on my new computer and have not installed Photoshop - will do that tomorrow then find the photos.
I agree that Rampini probably has some of the most wonderful pottery in Italy. We especially like the animal designs. We passed on buying things there on our first trip because it is expensive. We regretted our decision, so made a special trip there on our trip this year and bought a platter, a smaller serving dish, and a gorgeous pitcher. We've used them all and have had no problems.
Posts: 414 | Location: Boulder, CO | Registered: 22 May 2002
Thanks for all the info....think I need to expand my question. I am really looking for some pottery for everyday use (already have a set of Ginori), so I want it to hold up. Sorry I did not buy anything on the Amalfi coast last year (but it sounds like Tuscany may be a better place to shop anyway). So I would appreciate any recommendations for pottery shops in the Tuscany area....especially if anyone has some pottery that they have been using everyday. Sure do not want to lay out a bunch of money and have the stuff break. Thanks for all the input so far....if I can get pottery out of the way I will have more time to spend on wine!!
We ahve a couple of small plates from them. They ahve stained from dark colored food put on them so they are retired to the wall as hangings. Up high enough, you cannot make out the light brownish red balsamic vineger stain (Carandini of course!).
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