We the Italians March 21, 2016 - 77 | Page 63

st # 77 MARCH 21 , 2016 re) passed to Giovanni Baroni, who adapted the style of the ceramics to Neoclassicism. New manufacturing competitors appeared in Veneto in this period, with Sebellin in Vicenza and Fontebasso in Treviso. By the mid-century, the production underwent a period of crisis that fostered the creation of the so-called “folk ceramics” that led to the formation of a new decorative genre. Indeed, in 1859 Antonio Cecchetto’s manufacturing company began successful production of ceramics with folk decora- tions. The production was characterised by the use of the cheapest earthenware, which was decorated quickly using sponge stencils and templates depicting popular themes and figures related to religious traditions, popular myths, the seasons, the months and work in the fields. There were also plenty of decorations featuring soldiers, ladies and famous people, complete with patriotic writings and quotes. Nine new manufacturers were established in Nove in the second half of the nineteenth century. After the two wars, cera- mics also experienced a happy period in terms of production and exports (especially to the United States and Germany), which saw many leading manufacturing companies rise on the wave of economic progress. The Ceramics Different compositions of minerals are used to blend into a paste depending on the type of material to be produced. Porcelain is composed of kaolin and feldspar, whereas earthenware uses clay, calcium carbonate, WE THE ITALIANS | 63 www.wetheitalians.com