Maiolica is ceramics, but not all ceramics are maiolica. Ceramics were made long before maiolica came into existence around the 6th Century A.D. The combining of various types of clay, sodium, and potassium feldspar, are the necessary first steps in the production of earthenware products like Ceramics, Maiolica or Porcelain. In the 6th Century A.D. the Arabs found that certain mineral oxides, once dissolved in water, could be absorbed on the porous surface of fired clay (biscotto). The biscotto then could be decorated and, once fired a second time, became what is known as Maiolica, a white glazed, beautifully painted object with a hard smooth surface having qualities similar to porcelain. As the Arabs started moving westward,conquering North Africa, Spain, and Sicily, they brought with them their Maiolica working techniques. In the 13th century Italians thought that this new type of ceramics originated from the island of Majorca, and they called it Maiolica. In reality Majorca, an island south of Spain, was the port used by Arab merchants to ship their precious cargos of ceramics to Italy. The ships landed at Pisa where the ceramics were unloaded and then transported inland on the Arno River, passing through Montelupo Fiorentino thus providing this Tuscan town the advantage of a first look at how maiolica was made. The first historical period of Italian Maiolica encompasses part of the 14th century as well as most of the 15th century. During this period, the objects were created mostly for utilitarian purposes with decorations based on abstract and geometric motifs. Towards the end of the 15th century, human portraits became very popular especially with the painting of plates or bowls called Coppa Amatoria, Lover's Cup: a dedication to a loved one. Very large plates called Piatti da Pompa, Pompous Plates, were also painted, to honor a celebrity or a personal achievement. In the 16th century Maiolica developed as a perfect combination between function and art. One example is the Apothecary Jar, Albarello in Italian, used in pharmacies to store herbs, drugs, syrups, powders and pills. The other important example is the creation of Maiolica tableware.
Dinnerware sets started to be produced in Faenza, Deruta and Castelli. These services were commissioned by aristocratic families who wanted to impress their guests by having the family coat of arms painted on each plate. Maiolica has been produced in Umbria, Tuscany, Sicily and other Italian regions for over 500 years by an unbroken line of master crafters. Many of the patterns are still produced exactly as they were in the time of Michaelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, both of whom worked in Maiolica bottegas. The potter may now have an electric wheel, instead of pushing a pedal to throw the clay. The wood burning kilns have been replaced by electric kilns, but all the work that goes into creating a Maiolica piece follows the same ancient tradition, ... especially hand painting, where quality and artistry define a true Maiolica piece.