Maurizio Tittarelli Rubboli
Rising from the rubble
- In 1997 an earthquake destroyed most of the Rubboli premises
- Maurizio rebuilt the pottery factory, which dates from 1873
- In 2016 he received the Maestro d'Arte e Mestiere (MAM) prize
The story of Maurizio Tittarelli Rubboli is one of a nightmare that turned into a dream: in 1997, an earthquake hit the central regions of Italy, destroying most of the buildings that made up the family pottery plant. While his cousins decided to give up the trade altogether, Maurizio resolutely worked to rebuild the facilities. Thanks to the local and regional authorities, today the building hosts a museum dedicated to Rubboli majolica, two perfectly functioning kilns from the 1920s and a small workshop where Maurizio continues the craft his mother taught him – but “only after I graduated. Mother was quite uncompromising: to begin with, I needed to secure a steady job”.
Interview
- When was the Rubboli pottery factory founded?
- In 1873, when my great-grandfather Paolo decided to open a pottery workshop. The company grew in prestige in the 1920s, employing over 80 workers. The secrets of the trade were passed on from father to son, and my mother did the same with me, provided that I finished my university studies.
- What is special about the lustreware technique?
- It was developed in the 9th century in the area now occupied by Iran and Iraq. It consists of applying special pastes over the glazed surface of majolica that is then fired for the third time. The result is an iridescent, metallic finish. The firing is done in a reduction kiln, without oxygen.
- Who brought this technique to Italy?
- The technique was introduced to Italy by the Medici family, but it disappeared completely in the 17th century. It was revived only after Italian unification, when the government recovered the traditions of the regions in an attempt to create a national identity.
- Is there something that still surprises you after so many years?
- Always, and it happens every morning when I open the kiln at the end of the firing. When you work without oxygen, the result is always different, because it depends on many factors, including the weather. So you never know what the final result will be.
Maurizio Tittarelli Rubboli are expert artisans: they began their career in 1997
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Maurizio Tittarelli Rubboli
