Ceramic set of two espreso cups by Mario Sambuco Italian design.

Magnificent set of two espresso cups resting on a heart. This set is entirely handmade in ceramic and decorated using a method developed by Sambuco. In which the exterior is engraved with a steel tool to create the texture of a mosaic which is then painted with bright colors and luxurious gold to give it an opulent touch reminiscent of Byzantine art. Each piece is fired three times in the kiln. One of the cups has a small indentation, as shown in the photos. Technically it is possible to obtain such results with a sharp steel point that, following a pre-set design, cuts the still fresh surface of the created object: the result is an image that looks like a real mosaic. Three firing phases are required for the work to be complete: the first phase is carried out once the object has been engraved; the second phase after coloring and the third phase after applying gold. When the kiln is opened, after this last phase, the artisan work that appears before our eyes is rich in light and precious contrasts due to the splendor of the gold and its colors. Cup size: 5cm diameter and 5cm deep. Plate: 16cm length, width 14cm. Packing dimensions 18cm length, 12cm depth, 13cm width.

At the end of the 1950s and following in the footsteps of his father Luigi, who had already worked in a kiln in 1918. At the age of 17, Mario Sambuco, having acquired a broad and deep knowledge of the tradition and technique of Deruta ceramics, founded the Sambuco company. Since 2000, Ceramiche Sambuco Mario has been developing a research and production project called “Stilnovo”, in collaboration with artists and designers. With the aim of conceiving new shapes and decorations, experimenting with new materials and creating new solutions for decoration and use.
Together with the study and use of materials rarely present in Deruta production, such as precious materials: gold, platinum and copper. Mario proposes and specialises in sacred art. First in the field of contemporary ceramics, in the production of a wide range of objects and religious objects.
Some particular decorations created by Mario Sambuco require the engraving of the newly created object. This is the case of the style inspired by the mosaics of the Byzantine period. The mosaic is a floor or wall decoration made up of many small cube-shaped stones of various colours, called tesserae, or fragments of various shapes of glass paste, terracotta, etc., joined together with lime, cement mixed with water or putty. Mosaic painting reached its peak with Byzantine painting, the particular characteristic of which is the background, usually gilded.
This research led to the development of mosaic-effect majolica: the so-called “Byzantine style”. Technically, it is possible to obtain such results with a sharp steel point which, following a pre-established design, cuts the still fresh surface of the created object: the result is an image that looks like a real mosaic. Three phases of firing are required for the work to be complete: the first phase is carried out after the object has been engraved; the second phase after colouring and the third phase after applying gold. When the kiln is opened after this last phase, the handcrafted work that appears before our eyes is rich in light and precious contrasts due to the splendour of the gold and its colours.
Among the glitter applications is the “Ruby” style, the result of the fusion of a classic decoration based on lilies and flowers with the ruby-red glitter that acts as a background, all finished off with gold finishes.