My very first blog post for The Clutter Chronicles was about my favorite collection: Italian Pitchers. I timidly posted only a few photos, not wanting to bore anyone right out of the gate.
But once I passed my 14th Collection post, I was ready to take a second look at my entire Italian Pitcher collection (all 84 pieces). I pulled them all out of the cabinets, gave them a good cleaning, reorganized them into themes, and photographed them.
Honestly, I doubt if any of you make it to the end of this post because it contains an overload of pitchers. The designs will blur and the themes will seem random. But I’m doing this all for me. I love every single piece.
DRAGONS: The central motif of the Raffaellesco pattern is a stylized dragon. The dragon was reputedly first painted by Raphael, the master painter and architect of the Italian Renaissance.DRAGONS: Raffaellesco is a benevolent deity, bestowing good luck and fair winds to the seagoing merchants of the era.PORTRAITS: Orvieto majolica is know for portraits of the noble class.COUNTRY HOMES: An often-used landscape theme.ROOSTERS: When a member of Florence’s Medici family was saved from assassins by roosters, the bird came to symbolize good luck and safety from danger.NONIDENTICAL TWINS: When you have too many pitchers, you accidentally buy a pitcher you already have. But, on closer look, they are not identical.SGRAFFITO: One decorative technique called sgraffito carves designs into the item’s surface.PEOPLE: Dancing festive folksSACRED ELIXIRS: These vessels contained liqueur from monasteries.SACRED ELIXIR: This jug still contains its original spirits.BIRDS: All the different feathers have flocked together.PLACES I HAVE BEEN: Gubbio (S. Antonio for my father) and Orvieto.PLACES I HAVE BEEN: Loreto, Pesaro, Urbino, Taormina.PLACES I HAVE NEVER VISITED: Domaso, Trieste, Lugano.SAN MARINO: These pitchers both depict the tiny mountain Republic of San Marino–24 square miles surrounded by Italy.3D: Fruits, leaves, and branches grow off the surface of these botanical pieces.RESTAURANTS: House wine is served in house pitchers–three-dimensional advertising.PISA: These pieces from the home of the Leaning Tower share an earthy palette.ONE-OF-A-KIND: I love that the artisans created their own unique designs.ONE-OF-A-KIND: Closeups of two unique characters.ONE-OF-A-KIND: So many different ways to decorate pottery.BIG & LITTLE: My largest and smallest pitchers.
Did you make it all the way to the end? BRAVO! Leave a like below so I know.
12 thoughts on “Collection #1 Redux: Too Many Italian Pitchers”
What a beautiful collection. So Many. You’re amazing. Where is all this stuff in your house? Unbelievable. Awesome & Amazing — two adjectives overused but applicable.
Love it! I can relate to your love of Italian pottery. I have two pieces of hand painted Italian pottery (both found at thrift stores) that I treasure – one is a mysterious urn / planter / compote thingy with two tiny spouts on opposite sides, the function of which I cannot decipher, but thanks to your post I now know that the gorgeous design is called Raffaellesco. The other is a tall pitcher with a beautiful yellow, orange and aqua pattern of flowers and swirly lines. I love both pieces for their wonderful colors and the skilled craftsmanship that went into their decoration. The brushwork on both is so loose and spontaneous, yet at the same time so precise and balanced, I never tire of looking at and admiring them. Thanks for sharing your wonderful collection!
I’ve been listening to the podcast for about 2 weeks now. I found it in my own cross road of realization, I am a hoarder and I am afraid to take on a new career before dealing with myself and my stuff.
(Please forgive my ineloquent jumbling of thoughts & feels below☺️..)
I just wanted to say you’re story is such a healing motivation to me. It truly gives me hope and helps me not only get moving but listening to you articulate feelings I didn’t yet realize for myself.. it gives me a much needed guilt free time to relax, heal & regroup.
Thank you thank you❤️
Ps. I am not religious and it is a turn off for me, but your genuinity brought me right back. Keep being you, you’re awesome.
Well, if you’re ever ready, I’m willing to help you downsize your collection of San Marino pitchers.
Both of my maternal grandparents were from San Marino, and some of my grandfather’s siblings used to paint ceramics for the Marmaca company. Your pitchers would definitely find a good home here!
That is so cool, Lynn. I visited San Marino in the 70s on a very foggy day, so there was no view. But it made the medieval city so moody. I think the Peter Sellers movie, The Mouse that Roared, was filmed there. I bought the ceramic pieces more recently somewhere in the US or eBay. If I ever let them go, you will be the first to hear about it.
I am doing a blog and website abut collecting and the passionate people who create and display them. Would you give me permission to link to your blog? I am new to all this, so I am not sure of the protocol. Thanks for considering this request. Personally, I collect Pink Vista, which is ironstone transfer wear, miniature carved wooden dogs, chairs, but especially craft made miniature ones, glass objects, functional vegetable ceramics, just to start. I am planning to post photos of these, but also highlight the collections of other people and tell their stories. I love your blog.
Of course you may link to my blog! I look forward to seeing all your unique collections. Make sure you send me a link when you are up and running. Have fun with it!
The Clutter Chronicles 
What a beautiful collection. So Many. You’re amazing. Where is all this stuff in your house? Unbelievable. Awesome & Amazing — two adjectives overused but applicable.
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Love it! I can relate to your love of Italian pottery. I have two pieces of hand painted Italian pottery (both found at thrift stores) that I treasure – one is a mysterious urn / planter / compote thingy with two tiny spouts on opposite sides, the function of which I cannot decipher, but thanks to your post I now know that the gorgeous design is called Raffaellesco. The other is a tall pitcher with a beautiful yellow, orange and aqua pattern of flowers and swirly lines. I love both pieces for their wonderful colors and the skilled craftsmanship that went into their decoration. The brushwork on both is so loose and spontaneous, yet at the same time so precise and balanced, I never tire of looking at and admiring them. Thanks for sharing your wonderful collection!
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I’m am so happy you have two pieces that you love so much and appreciate their artistry!
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Hi Mary🤗
I’ve been listening to the podcast for about 2 weeks now. I found it in my own cross road of realization, I am a hoarder and I am afraid to take on a new career before dealing with myself and my stuff.
(Please forgive my ineloquent jumbling of thoughts & feels below☺️..)
I just wanted to say you’re story is such a healing motivation to me. It truly gives me hope and helps me not only get moving but listening to you articulate feelings I didn’t yet realize for myself.. it gives me a much needed guilt free time to relax, heal & regroup.
Thank you thank you❤️
Ps. I am not religious and it is a turn off for me, but your genuinity brought me right back. Keep being you, you’re awesome.
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Hi, I hope this isn’t a disrespectful question, but do you ever sell any of your Italian pitchers?
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Oh, that isn’t disrespectful! No I haven’t sold any of my pitchers. But I photographed them for this blog in case I have to downsize in the future.
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Well, if you’re ever ready, I’m willing to help you downsize your collection of San Marino pitchers.
Both of my maternal grandparents were from San Marino, and some of my grandfather’s siblings used to paint ceramics for the Marmaca company. Your pitchers would definitely find a good home here!
LikeLike
That is so cool, Lynn. I visited San Marino in the 70s on a very foggy day, so there was no view. But it made the medieval city so moody. I think the Peter Sellers movie, The Mouse that Roared, was filmed there. I bought the ceramic pieces more recently somewhere in the US or eBay. If I ever let them go, you will be the first to hear about it.
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I love seeing the extent of your collection. Thank you for the details. Are you still blogging? I don’t see recent entries.
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Thanks! I ran out of collections to write about and ran out of room to collect. LOL
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I am doing a blog and website abut collecting and the passionate people who create and display them. Would you give me permission to link to your blog? I am new to all this, so I am not sure of the protocol. Thanks for considering this request. Personally, I collect Pink Vista, which is ironstone transfer wear, miniature carved wooden dogs, chairs, but especially craft made miniature ones, glass objects, functional vegetable ceramics, just to start. I am planning to post photos of these, but also highlight the collections of other people and tell their stories. I love your blog.
LikeLike
Of course you may link to my blog! I look forward to seeing all your unique collections. Make sure you send me a link when you are up and running. Have fun with it!
LikeLike