The Niccacci families in Deruta and the Franciscan friars

The famous friars that you could find in Assisi were
made by Fratelli Niccacci.
The workshop closed about 2009/ 2010.
(Photo credit: Fratelli Niccacci)

The Niccacci families are probably from Tuscany but have been established in Deruta for many generations. The Niccacci families are all related, a total of five main groups of families in the same town. By being in Deruta, members of the Niccacci families were involved or are still involved in ceramics.

Mr.Aldo Niccacci of the "Fratelli Niccacci" closed his business around 2009/2010 after his retirement. He used to produce the famous ceramic Franciscan friars for Assisi and also the "Della Robbia style" reproductions on white clay. The workshop was located on the edge of town, beyond all the touristy shops and exactly in the "Barche" neighborhood. The "Fratelli Niccacci" have served Assisi for decades and it is still possible to find some of his friars in the touristy shops in Assisi. His friars were fun!

The reproduction of the Annunciation of the Hospital of the Innocents

in Florence was made by Fratelli Niccacci. (the photo is mine, 

a replacement service I did

for the St. Bede Parish in Pittsburgh PA)

On the contrary the "Della Robbia style" ceramics plaques of "Fratelli Niccacci" were interpretations of the original plaques made in Montelupo Fiorentino, Italy located in Tuscany ( also known as the furnace of Florence) and originally on red clay. Most American customers preferred the plaques on white clay, which are smoother, with fewer flaws, and more precise, these ones in particular.
The "Fratelli Niccacci" still has pieces in stock and I had the opportunity to visit Aldo Niccacci last year to serve a Church in Pittsburgh, PA for the replacement of a broken piece. I was lucky to find the last piece available and the exact one the customers were looking for:  the perfect match and a beautiful experience of service!

Curiosity: the signature on the pieces was "Maioliche F.lli Niccacci Deruta", followed by the article number.  "F.lli" is short for "Fratelli" the same as "Bros" for "Brothers".


Additionally in Deruta, the activity of the Niccacci families is very well represented by Francesca Niccacci,  who specializes in the field of Renaissance reproductions of ceramic portraits and historic scenes. She is a pupil of Maestro Romano Ranieri and she has been carrying on the tradition of portrait plates for many years. She also makes large urns and home accessories.

A classical ceremony plate of the Renaissance times in
Deruta. Tr. Art and Love, original writing in Latin according
to the 16th-century tradition (photo credit: Francesca Niccacci). 

Francesca Niccacci opened her own workshop many years ago when she was single, later on, helped by her husband, and recently moved to the area where her family is originally from, the famous "Molinella" neighborhood in Deruta, located in the Northern part of the town towards Florence. Francesca is closely related to Padre Rufino Niccacci, the famous Franciscan friar who saved the Jews in Assisi during the Second World War.

To see the work of Francesca Niccacci visit: www.vecchiaderuta.it. Francesca Niccacci is mentioned in the art literature in the United States as one of the few women in Deruta to start up her own business.

Another group of the family is represented in ceramics by Maria Assunta Niccacci and her father Domenico. They have a workshop where they produce white slip clay pieces that they export and sell nationally. Last, not least Renato and Elena Niccacci, my parents, owners of Cama Deruta, by whom this blog is inspired and who are carrying the longest tradition in ceramics and the most wonderful audience.

Antico Deruta pattern by Cama created by Elena Niccacci

We encourage buying directly from the workshops in Italy, this will help the artists save their art. If the workshops are closed and/or you are looking for specific pieces, please feel free to contact us at: friendsofcama@gmail.com. With our "ceramics hunting service" we will be happy to help you finalize your research. Thank you in advance for your patronage.

----------------------------------------- 



Original Posts by Roberta Niccacci -

FRIENDS OF CAMA 

Join the Facebook Page to Receive Blog Updates 

NEW!

Now on Twitter