Overview and Heritage

MA.VI. Ceramica is deeply rooted in the ceramic traditions of the Amalfi Coast, particularly Vietri and Cava De’ Tirreni, with a history spanning over 300 years. The company preserves traditional recipes and artisanal techniques dating back to the Middle Ages and Renaissance, emphasizing cultural continuity in ceramic production.

Production Techniques

• Hand-painted (Pennellato): Large brush application creating visible brush strokes and color variations, confirming manual craftsmanship.
• Sponge Technique (Spugnato): Use of sea sponges to apply color, producing transparent, textured effects.
• Manual Silk-screen Printing: Color applied through silk mesh with a rubber spatula, yielding uniform patterns.
• Manual Decoration: Complex technique involving "spolvero" (coal dust tracing) and fine brushwork by master decorators.

Vietri White Enamel (Il Bianco Vietri)

The foundational ceramic base is created using a white enamel made from white sand minerals and ancestral recipes. Applied in powder form and fired at 1000°–1100°C, it vitrifies to form the base for decoration.

Formats and Special Pieces

A broad range of tile formats and special pieces such as battiscopa (baseboards), cornices, angles, and listelli (strips) are offered, with thickness and dimensions detailed in the price list.

Color Palette and Decorative Styles

• Colors derive from powdered pigments mixed with water, fused into the ceramic during firing.
• Decorative styles include Pennellato (hand-painted streaks), Spugnato (sponge dabbing), Sfumato (airbrushed tonal nuances), and Palladiana (mixed irregular formats).

Design Collections and Reissues

Collections such as Carpena, Farfalle, Cantorate, Arabesco, and Marmorata are produced on semi-artisanal industrial supports with Vietri or cement enamels, typically 12 mm thick.

Notable Designers and Styles

• Arch. Eustacchio Striano: Classico 20 collection with geometric patterns.
• Giuseppe Oliva: Tartan collection inspired by fabric patterns.
• Arch. Federico Sorice: Tipi Diversi collection with diverse tile types and full color range.

Critical Information and Recommendations

• All decorative techniques are available across the full color palette.
• Handcrafted decoration ensures each piece's uniqueness and artisanal value.
• Traditional firing temperatures and recipes are strictly maintained for quality and authenticity.
• Thickness and dimensions are specified in the price list.

Catalog Overview: Tile Collections and Designs

The catalog details multiple ceramic tile collections produced on industrial and semi-artisanal supports using Vietri and cement enamels. Key collections include:

• New Look Series: Formats 20x20 and 40x40 cm, military green and white themes, with decorative fascia and corner variations.
• Flowers Series: Designed by Giuseppe Oliva, 20x60 cm tiles featuring floral motifs in varied colors.
• Antichi Borghi Series: By Luigi Ferrara and Ivana Carbone, 20x20 cm gres supports with village-themed designs and extensive color range.
• MA.VI. Blu Collection: Blue-themed tiles by Giuseppe Oliva, 20x20 cm semi-artisanal gres supports.
• Natura Irregolare Series: Artisanal white paste supports with natural motifs like pebbles, wisteria, and fruits.
• Solchi Tattili: 15x15 cm industrial supports with tactile grooves, available in multiple colors.
• La Tradizione Vietrese: Archive of hand-decorated tiles in various sizes with traditional Italian motifs.
• Azulejos Collection: Portuguese-inspired designs on industrial and semi-artisanal supports.

Decorative Inserts and Listelli

Various decorative inserts (3x3 to 10x10 cm) and listelli (1.2x20 to 8x20 cm) are available with relief and smooth finishes. Motifs are inspired by Italian locations and include a wide color range with pennellato and decorated finishes.

Materials and Technical Specifications

• Supports: Industrial and semi-artisanal gres and white paste.
• Enamels: Vietri and cement smalto.
• Formats: From small inserts (3x3 cm) to large tiles (40x40 cm), including irregular shapes.
• Color Codes: Standardized codes (e.g., C2, C5, C10, C12) ensure consistent color identification.

Designers

• Giuseppe Oliva: New Look, Flowers, MA.VI. Blu collections.
• Luigi Ferrara and Ivana Carbone: Antichi Borghi, Natura Irregolare.
• Roberto Ambrosino and Carmen Avagliano: Solchi Tattili.

Key Recommendations

• Full chromatic tables are available for all collections to aid color matching.
• Decorations and finishes are customizable; catalog examples are not exhaustive.
• Tiles are supplied as depicted, especially for MA.VI. Blu and Azulejos collections.
• Hand-decorated traditions emphasize artisanal craftsmanship linked to Italian heritage.

Handmade Terracotta (Cotto) Production

Traditional handmade terracotta production follows ancient Etruscan roots, using selected clays and local sands. Tiles are crafted by hand with special molds and fired at 950°–980°C for extended periods to ensure durability and chemical transformation.

Key characteristics include excellent color retention, moisture breathability, fire resistance, thermal and acoustic insulation, and versatility. A wide range of special and custom elements highlight the uniqueness and warmth of handmade terracotta compared to industrial products.

Product Formats and Types

• Standard sizes: 7.5x15, 10x20, 15x30, 40x40 cm.
• Special shapes: octagons, hexagons, listelli, battiscopa, cornices, decorative borders.
• Supports: Traditional handmade cotto napoletano and industrial supports.

Pre-treatments and Finishes

Available finishes include white, anthracite, black, matte, glossy, leather, antique red, and manganese, enhancing aesthetics and protection.

Color Range and Hand-Painted Decorations

Full color range with hand-painted options in yellow, orange, pink, red, blue, and green. Collections such as Positano, Amalfi, Vietri, and Tradizione feature hand-painted motifs on handmade and industrial supports.

Artistic Compositions

Large tile compositions up to 240x240 cm depict themes like fruit, birds, marine backgrounds, and baroque designs, intended as decorative centerpieces for large spaces.

Lava Stone Tiles (Pietra Lavica)

Hand-painted lava stone tiles are available in sizes from 5x5 to 50x50 cm, with colors including white, yellow, orange, red, green, blue, and lilac. Motifs include floral and geometric reliefs. Lava stone is also used for garden furnishings and accessories, with custom sizes available.

Furniture and Accessories

Complementary products include wrought iron supports for tables and benches, washbasins in various diameters, bathroom accessories (towel holders, soap dishes, toothbrush holders), and decorative objects such as limoncello and coffee sets, jars, and ornamental plates.

Custom Work (Sartoria)

Custom-made designs and sizes are available to meet specific client needs, ensuring unique and personalized ceramic and terracotta products.

Critical Information and Best Practices

• Handmade terracotta production adheres to ancient traditions ensuring high quality and durability.
• Firing temperatures and durations are critical for optimal physical and chemical properties.
• Raw material selection is essential for color fidelity and structural integrity.
• Wide decorative options and finishes allow customization for diverse architectural and design applications.
• Industrial supports offer alternative options while maintaining decorative quality.
• Custom work is available to fulfill unique project requirements.

Conclusion

MA.VI. Ceramica successfully integrates centuries-old ceramic traditions with modern production techniques, offering a comprehensive range of artisanal and semi-industrial ceramic and terracotta products. The company emphasizes hand decoration, traditional materials, and diverse design collections, positioning itself as a custodian of Vietri ceramic heritage with contemporary applications suitable for architects, designers, and clients seeking authentic, customizable ceramic solutions.