Bottega d’Arte: a collection that captures the historical value of art and crafts

Iris Ceramica Group’s Bottega d’Arte collection was born out of a desire to reintroduce manual working techniques, traditional craftsmanship, and all the sounds and smells of a workshop. The project, which uses traditional techniques to produce high-end finishes made with local clay, can be seen as a coming together of artisan philosophy, artistic thinking, experimentation, and the technology needed to create finishes and shades with a style and elegance comparable to a luxury fashion house. The Bottega d’Arte collection includes five finishes, each one telling its own story of a return to traditional methods of working red clay: TerreLustrate, TerreLucide, TerreCotte, TerreCotte Oro, and TerreLucide Oro. To reflect tradition – although not at the expense of creativity – the tiles are produced in just one size, 6 x 6” (15x15 cm), that is, the classic small size associated with the style of the past.

The color palette includes three large chromatic families. The tiles in natural tones highlight the opacity of their colors and the nuances of their satin finishes. To create a soft but brilliant effect that accentuates the intense chromatic variations, there are glossy and reflective shades. To illuminate the material and make the colors bright and vivid, there are also glazed shades, rich with iridescent, mother-of-pearl reflections.

A reference to the art and crafts of William Morris

The name of the project, Bottega d’Arte, is also a reference to the art and crafts movement of William Morris, who fought to give the so-called minor arts the same standing as the fine arts.

The collection sets out to promote tile finishes by reviving craft and art traditions. The virtue of the red clay tiles is that the material can give life to surfaces that express tradition while also adding its own unique charm. In fact, these products combine tradition with visual and tactile comfort, as well as representing that intimate link with the history and identity of the material.

Because red clay is a material that needs to be worked using traditional methods, it enhances the domestic atmosphere as a place for coming together and spending time.

For more info: Bottega d’Arte, Iris Ceramica Group

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