I'll be spending a week in Umbria in June, and collect Italian ceramics. Most I've picked up throughout Tuscany, some in Ravello - but with all the many shops in Deruta, I'm wondering which are known for beautiful ceramics and fair prices... Are there any shops to avoid? We will probably buy and ship back to the US.

Thanks!

Geribi has a shop and showroom on top in the old village, an area that is a must for those interested in the artisans. They also have a showroom down below with much more merchandise. We've always been pleased with our dealings with Gerardo and his wife Asunta--fabulous quality and they have a website. Paul

Thank you for that idea - I'll definitely check it out... any other suggestions?

I looked up some old notes I wrote from a trip last winter... (no, no trip report yet, I am woefully, woefully behind on my trip reports...)

"While in Deruta had a marvelous private tour of U. Grazia - which is on the Fortune 500 list of the 15 oldest companies in the world - it's number 13! Ubaldo himself (the owner) took us on the tour and he is the 25th generation to run this company - continuously in existence since the time of Michelangelo. I did buy a few ceramics, but, they were not only seconds, they weren't of the ancient designs. (an old, established design, if you bought it as a platter for instance, runs 350E which is over 500 bucks). My platter was designed by a new young designer and cost 45E (or less than 70 bucks). My other dish from a Swedish designer cost me 20E or 30 bucks. They are pretty if not traditionally Italian."

<i><font color=blue>"beautiful ceramics and fair prices"</font></i>

Both terms are very subjective. Plus, everything changed when Italy switched to the Euro. True artisans had no choice: they had to raise prices substantially to survive in the new economy. Anyway, when it comes to a work of art you love, how does one define "fair price?"

There's a ton of junk in Deruta and most of it is made outside of Italy (hello China). The average tourist hasn't a clue.

Grazia Deruta stands among the glorified few and most famous. I first discovered their art at Tiffany's almost 25 years ago. I have a small collection of custom pieces. They, too, have a website:
http://www.ubaldograzia.it/

Hey, girl! We were writing at the same time about the same place. Isn't the internet wonderful?

I noticed that!

The private tour was the way to go - absolutely fascinating to see the artwork and hear about the processes, room by room. The fact that his company was a contemporary of Michelangelo blew me away.

Grazia has beautiful work. But I ended up shopping for several pieces at a smaller, family-owned workshop a bit further down the road.

Ceramiche Artistche Gialletti Giulio was great to deal with. I had a good tour around their workshop, and settled on eight bowls and plates. These had to be specially made because the pattern I chose wasn't available in the size of pieces I wanted. So everything was shipped to me and arrived in perfect condition, exactly as I had ordered. I was really impressed and I love my dishes. They're worth the expense because I use them every day, and they remind me of Italy!

http://www.ceramichegialletti.com/

I hope you enjoy your time in Umbria, I'm also going back in June and can't wait.

Look:


http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ta-artisan.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...yer-beware.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-ceramics.cfm

Thanks for the suggestions... and warnings... I will take a look at the shops mentioned here.

Thank you, ekscrunchy, for that little trip down memory lane.

I bought several pieces from Ubaldograzia which they shipped to me. They arrived in perfect co ndition. I also bought a set of dishes from Ceramiche Rampini in Radda in Chianti when the exchange rate of the USD/EURO was in our favor.. They also have a showroom in Florence.

Ahh the good old days! We began our fascination with italian ceramics back in 2000. Don't remember the exact exchange rate in lira but when the euro first came in--we were getting one euro for 80 cents and the Deruta pieces were at the top of my wife's acquisition list. We have schlepped many, many pieces home in carry-ons and even in luggage (very carefully) without incident. On the rare occasions we have had things shipped, they have always come through unscathed. Geribi has always stood behind their merchandise, even replacing two dinner plates that cracked several years later. Like I stated, "Always a pleasure to deal with". These folks are expert at packing their merchandise. Paul