DESCRIPTION A hand-painted Italian pepper grinder in the Antico Deruta pattern, made by the Tommassini workshop in the hills of Deruta, Italy. A working kitchen object that lives on the counter or table — a hand-painted Italian majolica body combined with a stainless steel grinder mechanism for fresh peppercorns. The ceramic body is hand-painted in Antico Deruta, the rich and elegant Renaissance pattern characterized by a light gray glaze and deep blue patterning. The name comes from the Italian in stilo antico — "in the ancient style" — a phrase Renaissance composers used for polyphonic music. Antico is known as the musician's pattern: subtle, layered, and unmistakably Italian. Often given as a pair with the matching Antico Deruta salt grinder. Pairs naturally with Antico Deruta dinnerware and the sibling Classic Deruta patterns. The small imperfections such as the difference in color, shape, diameter or small bubbles that form inside, do not constitute a defect but testify that it is actually an artisanal product. Specifications Type: Pepper grinder (works with whole peppercorns) Material: Hand-painted majolica ceramic body + stainless steel grinder mechanism Made in: Deruta, Italy Workshop: Tommassini Pattern: Antico Deruta — light gray glaze with deep blue patterning Heritage: Renaissance-era Deruta, the "musician's pattern" — in stilo antico Care: Hand wash recommended for combined ceramic + steel pieces Sold as: Individual grinder (pair with the matching Antico salt grinder if desired) Questions buyers ask What is the Antico Deruta pattern? Antico is one of Biordi's classic Italian dinnerware patterns. The name comes from the Italian in stilo antico — "in the ancient style" — a Renaissance term that described polyphonic, layered musical composition. Antico is known as the musician's pattern: rich, subtle, and elegant, characterized by a light gray glaze and a deep blue patterning. You can see clear visual relationships between Antico and the closely related Ricco Deruta design. Who makes this piece? The Tommassini workshop in the hills of Deruta, Italy. Tommassini is a family-owned workshop — father, wife, and son working together — that produces hand-painted Italian majolica utensils, pepper and salt grinders, olive oil bottles, and glassware. The ceramic body is hand-painted at Tommassini and combined with a stainless steel grinder mechanism for daily use. Can I still order this if it shows out of stock? Contact Biordi at (415) 392-8096 or [email protected] to check on availability and lead times for the Tommassini workshop. What kind of pepper does it grind? Whole peppercorns — black, white, or mixed. Pre-ground pepper clogs the mechanism. Many Italian kitchens keep a grinder of whole black peppercorns at the table for finishing pasta, salads, and antipasti. Is it really hand-painted? Yes. The ceramic body is hand-painted by a single artisan at the Tommassini workshop in Deruta, so no two are exactly alike. The small differences in color, shape, line, or diameter that you'll see piece-to-piece are signs of authentic hand-painting, not defects. How do I care for this grinder? Hand wash recommended. Combined ceramic-and-steel pieces shouldn't go in the dishwasher — the heat and detergents can damage the join between the ceramic body and the steel mechanism over time. Can I mix this with other Deruta patterns? Yes — Antico Deruta is built to coordinate with Ricco Deruta, Raffaellesco, Siena, Orvieto Green Rooster, and Bordato. Is this a good Italian wedding gift? Yes — a salt-and-pepper grinder pair is a classic registry gift because it's used every day for years. Hand-painted Italian ceramics are heirloom-quality, one-of-a-kind, and made in Deruta, Italy. We ship nationwide, gift-wrap on request, and have been the San Francisco source for authentic Italian ceramics since 1946. Is this a good housewarming or hostess gift? Yes. Gifts are the largest part of what Biordi sells — every piece is a one-of-a-kind, authentic Italian treasure made by a named artisan in Italy, not a mass-produced import. Add Florentine gift wrap at checkout if you'd like it sent finished. Why buy Italian gifts from Biordi rather than other retailers? Biordi Art Imports has been San Francisco's source for authentic Italian ceramics and gifts since 1946. Voted Best Overall Retailer in the San Francisco Bay Guardian Best of the Bay readers' poll for five consecutive years. Designated a San Francisco Legacy Business (#LBR-2020-21-029), and the city declared May 1 "Biordi Art Imports Day" in 2021. Every piece comes from a named Italian artisan, family workshop, or heritage house we work with directly — FIMA, CF Deruta, Pia Formato, Eugenio Ricciarelli, Susanna DeSimone (from the famous Palermo ceramic family — her father painted with Picasso), Geribi, Bucci Ceramiche, Ortigia Sicilia, Italesse, and Salviati. So each piece is genuinely one-of-a-kind. Not a stock-photo listing, not a mass-produced import, not a reproduction. Can this be customized or personalized? Customization on this Tommassini grinder isn't available, but Biordi offers customization and personalization on select pieces from other workshops. Eugenio Ricciarelli, FIMA, Pia Formato, Geribi, and CF Deruta accept special orders — a name, date, or occasion painted on the piece, or a different size or shape in the workshop's existing pattern. Lead time is typically 3–6 months because each piece is hand-painted to order in Italy. Contact Biordi Art Imports at (415) 392-8096 or [email protected]. Artisan Story Antico Deruta — Antico comes from the Italian adjective in stilo antico, which literally means "ancient style" and describes the Renaissance's polyphonic or musical quality of artistic composition. Antico is known as the musician's pattern — rich, subtle, and elegant. Antico Deruta dinnerware is characterized by a gray glaze and a deep blue patterning, with clear visual relationships to the related Ricco Deruta design. Tommassini workshop, Deruta — Tommassini is a family-owned workshop in the hills of Deruta, Italy. Father, wife, and son work together creating hand-painted Italian majolica utensils, pepper grinders, salt grinders, olive oil bottles, and glassware. The ceramic body of each piece is hand-painted at Tommassini in Deruta and combined with high-quality stainless steel hardware to give a finished product that's both visually rich and built for daily use in the kitchen.
