Ceramic Ashtray from Bitossi Montelupo Ceramics, 1970s

Rosenthal Netter ceramic ashtray produced by Bitossi Montelupo Ceramiche, 1970s.
Enamelled terracotta, opaque raw clay.

Each work created by Bitossi follows a very complex processing process, both in the formal and decorative part.
The creation of a ceramic work can be obtained with different land and methods, each element is made within the manufacture by specialized personnel.
The raw materials used in the production of Bitossi Ceramiche are (white or red lands, enamels, crystalline and dark).
The form, according to the needs of the project, can be performed in four different ways:
Round: used for the creation of circular forms, the operator (turning) model the material/works entirely by hand.
Crown molding: carried out with the use of plaster molds in which the white clay in the liquid state is poured inside.
Putting: made with the help of forms of plaster. The process is performed by manual pressure of the clay on the internal surface of the mold, which has a negative impression.
Modina modeling: method used for large objects. We use plaster molds (male and female) mounted on a manual or mechanical press, where the clay slab is pressed to the semi -solid state.
Drying follows the forming process, through the withdrawal of humidity in a dry environment. When the earth has reached the right hardness, the work is completed with the printing of the molding and/or the plastic decoration through the scratch, the engraving, the molding etc.

Cooking can vary from one to three burners:
The first cooking, called “biscuration”, transforms the object from clay to terracotta.
The second cooking takes place after the coating and/or the pictorial decoration
The third cooking is used in the presence of several enamels and/or precious metals such as gold, platinum, silver and copper.

At the end of the production process, the product follows careful quality control for the final certification. Each work is an icon of Made in Italy style and creativity.