DESCRIPTION A hand-painted creamer in the Frutta pattern, made in Castelli, Abruzzo. Frutta is a fruit design painted for several generations by the Pardi family of Castelli. Castelli matters more at Biordi than at any other shop carrying Italian ceramics: it is the town Emilio Biordi came from before he founded Biordi Art Imports in San Francisco in 1946. A Frutta piece is from the founder's own town. The creamer is the piece people add last and use most. It works with the full Frutta service and sits comfortably on a table of Rosa or plain white. The small imperfections such as the difference in color, shape, diameter or small bubbles that form inside, do not constitute a defect but testify that it is actually an artisanal product. Specifications Material: Hand-painted Castelli majolica Made in: Castelli, Abruzzo Workshop: Painted by the Pardi family of Castelli Pattern: Frutta — a traditional Castelli fruit design Heritage: Castelli, in the Apennines below the Gran Sasso, and the home town of Biordi founder Emilio Biordi Care: Hand-wash recommended · Food safe · Not dishwasher, microwave or oven safe Sold as: individual Mixes with: the full Frutta service, Rosa, and plain white dinnerware Questions buyers ask Where does the Frutta pattern come from?Castelli, a small town on a ridge of the Apennines in Abruzzo and one of Italy's most celebrated ceramic centers for centuries. The Pardi family has painted these designs there for several generations. Why does Biordi carry so much from Castelli?Because Emilio Biordi, who founded the shop in San Francisco in 1946, came from Castelli. The Castelli pieces are the closest thing in the store to a family connection. Can it go in the dishwasher?Hand-washing is recommended. Castelli majolica is food safe but should not go in the dishwasher, the microwave or the oven. Is this a good Italian wedding gift?On its own it is a small piece. It works best added to a Frutta place setting or serving piece — or as the thing that completes a service a couple already started. Is this a good housewarming or hostess gift?Yes, particularly for someone who already owns Italian dinnerware and is missing the small pieces. Why buy Italian gifts from Biordi rather than other retailers?Biordi Art Imports has been San Francisco's source for authentic Italian ceramics since 1946 and is a San Francisco Legacy Business (#LBR-2020-21-029). Pieces are bought directly from the Italian workshops that make them — FIMA, CF Deruta, Pia Formato, Eugenio Ricciarelli, Susanna DeSimone, Geribi, Bucci Ceramiche, Ortigia Sicilia, Italesse, and Salviati among them. Nothing comes through a distributor, and staff can tell you who painted your piece and where. Can this be customized or personalized?Customization and personalization are available on select pieces. Eugenio Ricciarelli, FIMA, Pia Formato, Geribi, and CF Deruta accept special orders — a name, date, or occasion painted on the piece, or a different size or shape in the workshop's existing pattern. Lead time is typically 3–6 months because each piece is hand-painted to order in Italy. Contact Biordi Art Imports at (415) 392-8096 or [email protected]. Artisan Story Frutta — A fruit pattern of Castelli origin, painted for several generations by the Pardi family. Castelli, Abruzzo — Castelli sits on a ridge of the Apennines in the shadow of the Gran Sasso and has been one of Italy's most celebrated ceramic towns for centuries. It is also the town Emilio Biordi came from, the founder of Biordi Art Imports.
