Our Deruta Shape is a classic of the Italian ceramic tradition. The “scale” plate lends itself perfectly to the traditional decorations of the Italian repertoire. In this version, it is hand-decorated with the Rooster motif. This symbol has its roots in antiquity: the ancient Romans associated it with the pagan god Mercury, and along the roads traveled by the Roman civilization it was possible to find decorations depicting the rooster.
In Puglia, in Grottaglie, and especially in Mondovì, terracotta decorated with the rooster has been an integral part of family life for about a century and a half. Furthermore, the link between the rooster and France dates back to when the Romans invaded the territory occupied by the Celts, called “Gauls” because in battle they wore helmets decorated with rooster wings, a symbol of strength. This connection is at the origin of the rooster as the emblem of France.
The production of these artifacts is completely artisanal, without the use of industrial processes. Arcucci ceramics are characterized by a white base, covered with a hand-crafted glaze rich in local minerals, and hand-decorated with a wide range of warm and bright colors, obtained from natural oxides and different manual techniques.
The “biscuit” is made through pressing, using sophisticated automatic equipment. Plaster molds are used, a material that absorbs the humidity of the ceramic mass. Subsequently, the ceramic body contracts, facilitating extraction from the mold. This process requires manual skill, precision and advanced technical training. Like porcelain, the artifacts undergo an initial firing at 750-800 °C, transforming into a “biscuit,” before being glazed and subjected to a second firing at 850-1100 °C. The use of lower temperatures allows the majolica to obtain bright and vivid colors and glazes.
