Giovanni De Maio

Giovanni De Maio Ceramics is located in an exceptional geographical location of Italy which is the region of Campania, washed by the Tyrrhenian Sea, the scene for millennia of travel, trade and migrations of so many populations of the Mediterranean Sea basin. Campania felix: Land of Myth, with its fantastic mermaids Partenope, Leucosìa and Ligea, whom Myth has it that they lay by the islands of the Gauls to bewitch Ulysses and his sailors. The unique beauty of the area, the great history of the archaeological sites of Paestum and Pompei are some of the gems that fill the precious treasure chest of the history of the area framed by beautiful gulfs and green hills, rich in fertile soils. Here is the home of Vietri sul mare: the birthplace of Ceramics. As early as the Middle Ages, exploiting the local clay, the area's potters boasted a fine production of bricks, tiles, vases and terracotta, which in the years to come was then glazed by local potters to make tiles (riggiole). The De Maio family can be described as Mediterranean natives, men of passion, born at the right time in the right place. About two hundred years ago they began their adventure in Ogliara, on the Salerno hills, with the working of the clays of Mount Stella. From Cotto to Riggiole the step was a natural one. The De Maio family has produced, in the intervening two hundred years and five generations, majolica tiles that have adorned villas, churches, and noble residences, often starring in important architectural projects.

The De Maio family's inherent Mediterranean-ness leads them to put an original spin on the works they produce with designers. Their creative talent, with the use of glazes, shapes and colors that evoke the land, are the elements of great characterization and uniqueness of the artifacts that now many architects around the world appreciate. The creative inspiration, culture and roots in the Vietri sul mare area have made architects, planners and designers entrusted De Maio with a wide variety of works so that they could carry them out with the wealth of experience and imagination that only they can boast over two centuries of history.