The Ceramic Maker Of Borgo San Lorenzo
The Mugello area has long been a place that over the centuries has been the home to artists, thinkers, poets such as Giotto, Andrea del Castagno, and Beato Angelico. One such notable craft that called the Mugello, or more specifically Borgo San Lorenzo home, is Manifattura Chini, a great example of artistic ceramic production. Two centuries ago, this famous ceramics company was founded by Piero Alessio Chini who passed his skills to his five children who then took on the family business.
Every thing in Italy has a story, every one object isn’t just there for a reason – but instead is likely to pass the hands of many generations who leave their own mark on the family business.
In 1896, his grandchildren opened up a small ceramics workshop in the Renaissance town of Florence called “L’Arte della Ceramica” which was a big success. Thus paving the way for Galileo Chini, who then broke away together with Piero and Chino Chini, and instead founded the ceramics factory Fornaci San Lorenzo at Borgo San Lorenzo, which also produced glassworks. A company and story that we are very passionate about and would like to share with our guests.
Galileo wasn’t just an artisan but also an artist, creating numerous beautiful frescoes and gaining international acclaim. You can see more of his works and itinerary in Tuscany here (in Italian).
To learn more about this fascinating trade and culture, let us take you on a ‘Liberty tour’ visiting the ceramics trail of the Mugello valley, we can also organize ceramics courses that include the creation of bowls/objects and painting. Just ask! And you can purchase one-on-a-kind ceramics in our shop. Learn more about that and Galileo Chini here.
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