Cover photo Minturno - St Peter’s Church Vestry wash-tub made of 16th century Majolica The Tradition

Majolica flooring from Minturno realized during the first half of 19th century (back marking with the brand “Scauri”) The land of Traetto, Minturno today, in the engraving taken from Gio.Battista Pacichelli’s “The Kingdom of Naples in perspective” (Naples, 1702)

Minturno is situated south of Lazio and borders on Campania from which it is separated by the Garigliano river. The historical-environmental features of this place are summarized in the above picture taken from Pacichelli’s work. Its foreground shows the Scafa, the barge steered by ropes that, until the first years of the 19th century, was the only means of transport to cross the Garigliano river. According to some people this might have given origin to the toponym of Traetto to recall the ferrying across the river carried out in its neighbourhood. The complex of Bastia - with its 10th century high tower and its subsequent additions of buildings, used as inns and for the changing of horses - rose on the banks of the river. Around the year 1830 the Bastia was demolished to build up a “suspended bridge” that at that time was an interesting example of an only one bay engineering work supported by metal tie-beams. On the left of the picture some parts of the theatre and of the aqueduct, still visible today, can be seen. Around the 7th century the Roman town was abandoned and its inhabitants moved to the nearby hills where they settled and founded Traetto. But in 1876 they decided to give the place the ancient name of Minturnae again as a tribute to the historical and cultural tradition of the original town. On the right of the picture there is a schematic representation of Traetto situated on the hills not far from the sea. The central scroll reproduces the coat of arms of the town (University of Traetto) while, on the left, the heraldic deed belongs to the Carafas, a branch of the Della Spina family. The Carafas kept the duchy of Traetto until 1806 when the rule of Murat abolished the feudal rights in the kingdom of Naples.

G. B. Introduction

The “Ceramica Cotto di Minturno”, skill, still keep the charm of “things during twenty years of activity, thanks to without age”. a very patient research and testing, has Going back to our origin makes us feel managed to achieve a skilful capability more motivated in doing our job, not to work the clay for the production of only for a deep self interest, but also as material for floors and coatings. a sign of love towards our country that The awareness of being heirs of a is full of history, culture and tradition. millenary tradition regarding the We hope that this catalogue, arranged local ceramics and of operating in a for those who love terracotta tiles in all sector that, still today, is the keeper their various expressions, is welcomed of ancestral charm, has stimulated us with interest and turns out to be an to work seriously trying to do our unfailing guide for all the compositions best day after day. people will desire to realize. The craftsmen of ancient Minturnae In conclusion, I want to thank the used earth, water and fire, exactly as we architect Belgrano, who agreed to do nowadays, to produce this material anticipate some of his researches on the that still contains, in its warmth and production of Minturno majolica for this simplicity, all the characteristics of the catalogue. primitive strength of nature. Our products, which are the result of the union of natural elements and craftmade Domenico Tuccinardi Architecture and Decoration In an age of advanced technology, aesthetical choices are made at the beginning of the productive process and In a period like ours, when the component though they somehow take into account production for architecture is charac- the purchasers’ expectations, they terised by standard solutions, we run the actually govern them and determine risk of homologating all manufactures if their trends since they establish the the same materials, the same fittings are nature of what is made available on the used. So, if this happens, everything will market. become the expression of an unvarying This aspect, so peculiar to our way of condition of anonymity. conceiving the relationship between This phenomenon can be found much more supply and demand, reveals how in the architecture of houses where, marked the companies’responsibility is. because of the limited economical In choosing their own productive resources available, it is almost impossible policies, they actually make much to experiment with new or particular greater cultural choices. solutions, so the production offered by The “Ceramica Cotto di Minturno” has the market is the only choice possible. run out its activity always keeping in The difference between the planning mind these matters. Since it was born, specificity and the possibility of carrying twenty years ago, it has centred its own it out involves designers determinately. corporate policy to recover the ancient Contemporary architects can’t rely on process used in manufacturing the clay. those skilled craftsmen who in the past This has allowed it to reproduce classical were able to give a concrete form to figurative models combined with the designers’ plans. research of new formal and decorative Today decorative particulars and solutions. trimmings can be achieved only through It is, we must admit, a very demanding what industry offers, and those who program conceived keeping in mind want to follow a different itinerary will that, if the task of today’s architects is to head hard and highly expensive work. give a house a personal dimension, it is All this points out how important the necessary to try to find the way to role of industrial products is in our achieve this purpose. society. Beyond the utilitarian aspect So it is important to go on working and aimed apparently at satisfying a need only, experimenting just starting from the the product proposed on the market has a tradition that was interrupted in the cultural function of great importance, past supported by those who are since it assumes the position of stimulator interested in doing so. In this way the of the collective taste. use of the clay, a substance deeply linked with the civilization of a country, “Campania Felix” and afterwards may continue without necessarily feeling “Terra di lavoro”. nostalgia for past times. The origins of Minturno, that has a millenary history, date back to the most The heritage of the origins: remote times, to the first Italic people history of a local tradition who lived here much earlier than the coming of the Romans with their The “Ceramica Cotto di Minturno” is conquering aims. in an area where the working of the clay The inhabitants of the region were the has always had a very long tradition. Aurunci or Ausoni sung by Virgil as those from whom Italy derived its most ancient name “Ausonia Tellus”. In the region between the promontory of Gaeta and the mountain chain of Massico, the Ausoni lived in small settlements ( I Pagi) and in 5 large cities: Suessa, Ausona, Vescia,

Minturno: St Anna chapel. Detail of a floor with various Formiae, Minturnae. types of “riggiole” drawn close together Minturnae, which was situated along the lower Garigliano, flourished thanks Minturno, with its 18.000 inhabitants, to its port and to the sanctuary of lies in the south of Lazio. It borders on Marica, an autochthonous goddess with Campania along the Garigliano river many-sided characteristics, who was as a consequence of an administrative worshipped in that region during the subdivision that dates back to extremely whole ancient age. recent times. It was in that period that the local In 1924, after the suppression of the population became familiar with the Province of Caserta, the City State of clay that was extremely abundant in Minturno was first united to the Province wide superficial deposits. of Rome and then was transferred to the territory of the newborn Littoria, today called Latina. Actually, deep roots tie this land to the history of the Kingdom of Naples and of southern Italy in general, because its traditions, events, cultural background are deeply linked with those of that vast and yet articulated region once called Minturno: St. Anna chapel. Detail of a floor made up of local majolica. The most ancient pottery made by the inhabited centre that was called Traetto Ausoni was blazed away and modelled on the nearby hills. without the use of the potter’s wheel. During the whole Middle Ages, local Common vases and containers found economy was based mainly on primary in some tombs date back to the 7th activities that is on agriculture and century B.C.. Also the most ancient sheep farming. votive handiworks date back to the But it was during the year 1000 that same period: small statues and former productive activities gradually started votive offerings made of clay testify to recover. the very ancient custom of offering Some mills were installed in Scauri, a gifts to deities in order to get their village belonging to the City State of favours. Minturno situated by the coast and With the Roman conquest, around the crossed by the Capodacqua steam. 4th century B.C., the area entered a wide During the time various productive commercial context and the working of settlements, such as the working of the clay assumed industrial productive wool and sugar in the 14th century were characteristics. born. It was only in the latter part of Minturnae, built on the Via Appia, 18th century that a paper mill was built. represented an important stopping The “Faenziera”, a factory where place and soon became a solid urban decorated pottery and majolica were centre where the agricultural products produced, dates back to that period. from the nearby villages reached its In the 19th century numerous kilns were harbour to be exported to Rome and built, thanks to the possibility of other Mediterranean markets. working the clay excavated in the Bricks and roofing tiles were made on nearby quarries of Penitro on the spot. the spot to meet the strong building At least six establishments for the demand while foodstuffs commerce working of clay existed in that period. enforced the production of amphorae They were relatively large buildings and earthenware clay pots necessary to containing one or two kilns and wide the sea freight of products. Production kept constant throughout the Roman age and its crisis coincided with the crisis of the entire region during the crash of the Roman Empire. During the 6th century, being exposed to barbarian raids and made uninhabitable by malaria, the town was abandoned by its inhabitants who built a modest Brand with a caption: “Scauri” in neogotic letters open sheds destined to the drying of the identify two fundamental stylistic manufactured clay. Prevalently bricks traditions. and roof tiles were produced, but a A lot of decorations reproduce faithfully relevant percentage of the production the typical patterns from Campania was made up of flooring tiles in factories (especially Neapolitan). But, terracotta, which were commercialised in many cases, unique samples have in their natural state. been found. They testify the strong As time went on, the working of terracotta research of originality and of the quarry tiles became more accurate. creative spirit of Minturno majolica Going back to a centuries-old tradition, workers (Maiolicari) who were able to Minturno majolica tile workers achieve the typical features of their tradition.

Brand inside ellipsis with the caption: “Brickworks - Francesco Moiano Scauri (Caserta) improved their techniques and made the so called “riggiole”. This is the name people from Campania call flooring terracotta tiles, which are first glazed and then painted with various decorated patterns. Brand of “Sieci” factory. The activity of “riggiolari” from Caption “Sieci kilns, factory of Scauri” Minturno is proved by the existence of numerous trademarks, with which the tiles were signed. A long and difficult recovery work has enabled us to put together a large selection of decorated tiles produced in Minturno until the latter part of the 19th century.

Yet, even if we don’t have too many Brand inside ellipsis. Caption “Kilns of Minturno data at our disposal, it is possible to - Terracotta and Majolica - B. Pandolfi” Manufacturing

The “Ceramica Cotto di Minturno” by a technologically advanced plant. uses local fossil clays exclusively. The clays are then moulded and given Particularly rich in aluminates, the finishing touch by hand following silicates, carbonates and sulphates, our the slow and hard systems of tradition. local clays are appreciated in particular Every single tile is made by stamping because they are easily workable and down the clay into wooden moulds also for the nice straw-yellow colour exerting pressure only by hand. This they take after they have been fired. confers the product a honeycomb Thanks to these requisites they were porous structure and a warm skin effect fully been appreciated by southern on the surface, as well as, of course, a ceramists, to the extent that, until the unique characteristic to every single whole 19th century, they were constantly piece. commercialised and almost all The slow drying process profits also Neapolitan ceramic laboratories used from the warm and humid climate of the them. area which allows the processed clay to The procedure followed by the get the suitable firing without loosing “Ceramica Cotto di Minturno”, still any humidity. today, makes use of methods essentially The final product, once taken out of the traditional. kiln, takes the denomination of Only preliminary operations of “COTTO GREZZO”. washing and purification are made

Samples of Minturno 19th century majolica Production

Cerreto Decorated terracotta “Cerreto” differs from other terracotta The “Ceramica Cotto di Minturno” takes floorings for its varied effect that gives a particular care in making decorated floors particularly warm and nice terracotta, a sector in which the colours. The effect is obtained thanks to a manufacturing process strictly follows wise mix of clays from different the ways and systems of traditions. excavations and origins. Decorations of tiles are made without The product takes its name from Cerreto using “masks” and, thanks to the work- Sannita, a small village in Campania where ers’ manual skill, every piece is drawn in the 16th century the manufacturing and painted one by one. process of terracotta took its origin and the The drawings of decorations that are first samples of these makings date back. shown in this catalogue in the “Naples” Today the “Ceramica Cotto di Minturno” line, reproduce the typical patterns of the reproduces its manufactured articles 19th century production from Campania. following the original sample of Cerreto, The Minturno line based on strictly local yet it has its own characteristics. In fact its makings that go back to the 19th century amalgam, fruit of scrupulous blending too, can be found next to it. tests, lacks in defects of “scalibrature”, Unfortunately not all the significant “calcinelli” and salty efflorescence which potential works can be found in this characterized the original production. catalogue. Anyway in the field of decorated Today “CERRETO” is protected by the terracotta it is possible to make any type of “Cerreto Cotto di Minturno” trademark. figurative compositions, even the drawings proposed by purchasers. Giancarlo Belgrano Glazed terracotta The line of glazed terracotta makes up another sector in which the original inspiring support of tradition has been the subject of new researches and experimentations. All enamels, made up of tin and lead, offer the same characteristics of solidity and are available in a wide range that varies a lot when they are laid on. In fact they can be satin opaque, shiny bright, and, in some cases, thanks to “croquelature”, they achieve particular Minturno via San Francesco D’Assisi. Votive panel with texture effects. local craftmanship “riggiole” (year 1894).

Tradition thought back over Original “Napoli” majolica collections

12 3 31 32 33

45 6 34 35 36

78 9 37 38 39

10 11 12 40 41 42

13 14 15 43 44 45

16 17 18 46 47 48

19 20 21 49 50 51

22 23 24 52 53 54

25 26 27 55 56 57

28 29 30 58 59 60 Original “Napoli” majolica collections

61 62 63 91 92 93

64 65 66 94 95 96

67 68 69 97 98 99

70 71 72 100 101 102

73 74 75 103 104 105

106 107 108 76 77 78

79 80 81 109 110 111

82 83 84 112 113 114

85 86 87 115 116 117

88 89 90 118 119 120 “Napoli” majolica re-editions

21 14

44 55

7 46 Original “Minturno” majolica collections

1 2

3 4

56 7 89 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 “Minturno” majolica re-editions

4

14 “Cotto Grezzo” - Photo by G. Gardin Cotto Grezzo

CM 1007 7,5x7,5 CM 1010 10x10 CM 1015 15x15

CM 1020 20x20 CM 1030 30x30 CM 1040 40x40

CM 1050 50x50 CM 1026 10x20 CM 1240 7,5x40

CM 1021 11x21 CM 1121 11x21 CM 1310 Hexagonal side 10 “Cotto Grezzo” - Photo by G. Gardin Coloured Earths

CM 4020 - 20x20 - White CM 4010 - 10x10 Beige CM 1030 - 30x30 - Red

CM 4121 - Medium Pink Rhomb CM 4040 - 40x40 Manganese CM 4023 - 11,5x23 - Dark

CM 4020 - 20x20 - Light Green CM 4020 - 20x20 - Dark Green CM 4010 - 10x10 - Light Blue

CM 4015 - 15x15 - Light Grey CM 4010 - 40x40 - Dark Grey CM 4030 - 30x30 - Black Cerreto

CM 1950 - Hexsagonal side 12 CM 1924 - 20x40 CM 1910 - 10x10 CM 1920 - 20x20

“Cerreto and Coloured Earths” composition Adrianee Compositions

Vestibolo Marittima

Stadio Palazzo

Canopo Terme Adrianee Compositions

Rocca Bruna Pretorio

Esedra Afrodite

Tempe Piazza D’oro “Cotto Grezzo - Coloured Earths - Glazed Cerreto” - Photo by G. Gardin Nacré

CM 2007 - 7,5x7,5 CM 2010 - 10x10 CM 2020 - 20x20

CM 2022 - 22x22 CM 2030 - 30x30 CM 2040 - 40x40

CM 2023 - 11,5x23 CM 2328 - 3,5x28 CM 2340 - 10x40

CM 2021 - Losenge 11x21 CM 2106 - Small Rhomb 6x15,5 CM 2313 - Hexagonal Side 11,5 Blueté

CM 2007 - 7,5x7,5 CM 2010 - 10x10 CM 2020 - 20x20

CM 2022 - 22x22 CM 2025 - 25x25 CM 2030 - 30x30

CM 2040 - 40x40 CM 2023 - 11,5x23 CM 2328 - 3,5x28

CM 2021 - Losenge 11x21 CM 2106 - Small Rhomb 6x15,5 CM 2310 - Hexagonal Side 10 “Bluetè” - Photo by G. Gardin “Bluetè” - Photo by G. Gardin

Moon Stone - Craquelé

CM 3007 - 7,5x7,5 CM 3010 - 10x10 CM 3020 - 20x20

CM 3314 - Irregular Hexagon side 14 and 12 CM 3025 - 25x25 CM 3030 - 30x30

CM 3040 - 40x40 CM 3023 - 11,5x23 CM 3240 - 7,5x40

White Aqua Marine Yellow

Pink Turquoise Orange CM 3021 - Losenge 11x21 CM 3121 - Medium Rhomb 11x21 Pastel Colours

CM 6040 - 40x40 Green CM 6010 - 10x10 Yellow CM 6015 - 15x15 White

CM 6020 - 20x20 Lilac CM 6025 - 25x25 Pink CM 6030 - 30x30 Green

CM 6040 - 40x40 Yellow CM 6027 - 15x30 White CM 6040 - 40x40 Sky-Blue

CM 6020- 20x20 Sky-Blue CM 6040 - 40x40 Lilac CM 6010 - 10x10 Pink Minturnae

White Pearl Eliodoro Yellow Amber

Topaz Yellow Honey Vesuviana Brown

Opal Pink Morganite Pink Malachite Green

Tourmaline Green Jasper Green Emerald Green Minturnae

Jade Green Aquamarine Turquoise

Lapislazuli Azure Sapphire Blue Cobalt Blue

Bright Black Selenium Red Brush Strokes

Cadmium Yellow Golden Yellow Orange

Brown Coral Lilac

Pink Azure Turquoise

Pistachio Green Copper Green Provençal Green Brush Strokes

Ash-coloured Azure Grey Blue

Decoration Bottoms

Ancient White Bright White Special Series

Steps

Made round Owl Beak

Made round Bull

Skirting-board

Raw Owl Beak Raw Chamfer Raw Minturno Glazed Owl Beak

Torelli

Raw Glazed Technical Chart “Cotto grezzo”

Item Size Pieces Weight Thickness per sqm. per sqm.

100X100 CM 1100 100x100 1 80 4

CM 1080 80x80 1,56 65 3,5 80X80

CM 1060 60x60 2,77 65 3,5 60X60

CM 1050 50x50 4 50 3 50X50

CM 1040 40x40 6,25 40 2,5 40X40

30X30 CM 1030 30x30 11,11 40 2,5

25X25 CM 1025 25x25 16 40 2,5 22X22 CM 1022 22x22 20,66 28 1,8 20X20 CM 1020 20x20 25 28 1,8 15X15 CM 1015 15x15 44,44 28 1,8

10X10 CM 1010 10x10 100 28 1,8 7,5X7,5 CM 1007 7,5x7,5 177,77 28 1,8 5X5 4X4 CM 1005 5x5 400 28 1,8 CM 1004 4x4 625 28 1,8

25X50 CM 1225 25x50 8 50 2,5 20X40 CM 1024 20x40 12,5 40 2,5 15X30 CM 1027 15x30 22,22 40 2,5

14X28 11,5X23 CM 1028 14x28 25,51 40 2,5 10X20 CM 1023 11,5x23 37,81 28 1,8 CM 1026 10x20 50 28 1,8

10X50 CM 1250 10x50 20 40 2,5 7,5X40 CM 1240 7,5x40 33,33 40 2,5 3,5X28 CM 1328 3,5x28 102,04 55 3,5

10X40 CM 1340 10x40 25 40 2,5 4X20 CM 1320 4x20 125 28 1,8 40x40 Item Size Pieces Weight Thickness per sqm. per sqm. 30x30

20x20 CM 1415 15x15 44,44 28 1,8 15x15 4x4 44,44 1,8 CM 1420 20x20 25 28 1,8 5x5 25 1,8 CM 1430 30x30 11,11 40 2,5 7,5x7,5 11,11 1,8 CM 1440 40x40 6,25 40 2,5 10x10 7,5x7,5 4x4 5x5 10x10 6,25 1,8

CM 1130 15x30 44,44 28 1,8 CM 1121 11x21 86,58 28 1,8 CM 1106 6x15,5 215 28 1,8 6x15,5 11x21 15x30 11x21 CM 1021 11x21 61,44 28 1,8

CM 1314 side 14 e 12 22 40 2,5 Regular Hexagon Irregular Hexagon Regular Hexagon side 11,5 CM 1311 side 11,5 29,10 40 2,5 side 14 e 12 side10 CM 1310 side 10 38,49 40 2,5

CM 1505 side 5 1,8

00 1 CM 1507 side 7,5 1,8

CM 1510 side 10 1,8

80 CM 1515 side 15 1,8

CM 1520 side 20 1,8

CM 1522 side 22 1,8

60 CM 1525 side 25 2,5

50 CM 1530 side 30 2,5

CM 1540 side 40 2,5 40 CM 1550 side 50 3

0 3

25 CM 1560 side 60 3,5

2 2 20 CM 1580 side 80 3,5 15

10 CM 1500 side 100 4

5 , 7

5

Chamfer Skirting

Minturno Skirting Owl Beak Skirting

Made Round Bull Step Made Round Owl Beak Step Technical Chart “Glazed - Coloured Earths”

Item Size Pieces Weight Thickness 40x40 per sqm. per sqm.

30x30 Square 40x40 6,25 40 2,5 Square 30x30 11,11 40 2,5 25x25 22x22 Square 25x25 16 40 2,5 20x20 Square 22x22 20,66 28 1,8

15x15 Square 20x20 25 28 1,8 Square 15x15 44,44 28 1,8 10x10 7,5x7,5 Tozzetto 10x10 100 28 1,8 5x5 4x4 Tozzetto 7,5x7,5 177,77 28 1,8 Tozzetto 5x5 400 28 1,8 Tozzetto 4x4 625 28 1,8

20x40

15x30 Rectangular 20x40 12,5 40 2,5 Rectangular 15x30 22,22 40 2,5

10x50 7,5x40 Listel 10x50 20 40 2,5 3,5x28 Listel 7,5x40 33,33 40 2,5 Quarrel 3,5x28 102,04 55 3,5

10x40 Listel 10x40 25 40 2,5 4x20 Listel 4x20 125 28 1,8

14x28 11,5x23 10x20 Rectangular 14x28 25,51 40 1,8 Rectangular 11,5x23 37,81 28 1,8 Rectangular 10x20 50 28 1,8

40x40

30x30 Octagon 15x15 44,44 28 1,8 20x20 Tozzetto 4x4 44,44 28 1,8 15x15 Octagon 20x20 25 28 1,8 Tozzetto 5x5 25 28 1,8

Octagon 30x30 11,11 40 2,5 Tozzetto 7,5x7,5 11,11 40 1,8

10x10 7,5x7,5 4x4 5x5 Octagon 40x40 6,25 40 2,5 Tozzetto 10x10 6,25 40 1,8 Item Size Pieces Weight Thickness per sqm. per sqm.

Large Rhomb 15x30 44,44 28 1,8 Medium Rhomb 11x21 86,58 28 1,8 15x30 11x21 6x15,5 11x21 Small Rhomb 6x15,5 215 28 1,8 Losenge 11x21 61,44 28 1,8

Regular Hexagon Irregular Hexagon side 14 e 12 22 40 2,5 Irregular Hexagon Regular Hexagon side 11,5 side 14 e 12 side10 Regular Hexagon side 11,5 29,10 40 2,5 Regular Hexagon side 10 38,49 40 2,5

Triangle side 5 1,8 40 Triangle side 7,5 1,8 Triangle side 10 1,8 Triangle side 15 1,8 30 Triangle side 20 1,8 Triangle side 22 1,8 25 Triangle side 25 2,5 22 Triangle side 30 2,5 2 0 Triangle side 40 2,5

15

10

7,5

5

Chamfer Skirting Minturno Skirting Owl Beak Skirting

Made Round Bull Step Made Round Owl Beak Step Ceramica Cotto di Minturno s.r.l. - 04026 Minturno (LT) Località San Martino - Zona industriale - Tel. + 39 (0) 771 61.45.12 - Fax + 39 (0) 771 61.47.09 Cod. Fisc. e Part. iva 01778650596 - cap. soc. int. vers. € 100.000,00 www.ceramicacottodiminturno.it - e-mail: c.cottodiminturno@ virgilio.it