DESCRIPTION A hand-painted majolica mug, made in Deruta by master artisan Eugenio Ricciarelli in his B-34 pattern. Standard-size mug with a shaped handle — a real everyday coffee or tea mug, not a display-only piece. B-34 is one of Eugenio's geometric designs, painted in the hues of blue he is best known for. Every line is painted freehand without the spolvero (dusting) technique used for reproduction, so each mug is genuinely one-of-a-kind — no two are identical, even within the same pattern. Buy one, or build a set by mixing patterns — mixing Eugenio's designs across a set of mugs is how most collectors do it, and the shared palette keeps them coherent. An easy, well-priced gift for a coffee drinker, a housewarming, or a first piece for someone new to Deruta ceramics. 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 Material: Hand-painted majolica (tin-glazed earthenware) Made in: Deruta, Italy Artisan: Eugenio Ricciarelli Pattern: B-34 — one of Eugenio's geometric designs in his signature blues Care: Hand-wash recommended · Not microwave safe · Not oven safe · Food safe (lead-free glaze) Sold as: Individual; one-of-a-kind hand-painted piece Mixes with: B-57, B-61, B-64, and other Eugenio Ricciarelli patterns Availability: In stock; special order 3–6 months Questions buyers ask What is the B-34 pattern? One of Eugenio Ricciarelli's geometric designs, painted in the blues he is best known for. B-34 is the workshop pattern number. Can I use it every day? Yes. It is a working mug. Hand-wash it and keep it out of the microwave and oven, and it will last for decades. Should I buy a matching set or mix patterns? Mix them. Eugenio's patterns share a palette, so a set of mugs in B-34, B-57, B-61, and B-64 reads as one group. Can I special-order matching pieces? Yes. Eugenio takes special orders in any of his 12 simplified patterns and 65 full designs. Allow 3–6 months. Personalization (name, occasion) is available. Is it food safe? Yes — lead-free, food-safe majolica glaze. Is this a good Italian wedding gift? Yes — wedding gifts are one of the things Biordi is best known for. Hand-painted Italian ceramics are heirloom-quality, one-of-a-kind (no two pieces are ever exactly alike because each is hand-painted by a single artisan), and they carry their origin clearly: this piece is made in Deruta, Italy. Couples actually use and display Biordi pieces rather than store them. 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. Arrives ready to use rather than store. 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 and personalization are available on select pieces. 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 Eugenio Ricciarelli is one of the most beloved artisans in Deruta. Eugenio began working at 13 in a painting factory. He then became an apprentice for the esteemed Franco Mari, eventually running Franco Mari's studio for many years. Eugenio, known for his geometric designs and hues of blue, produces his works in 12 simplified patterns and 65 full designs. They are available by "special order" in any of his patterns, dish size, mug, goblet or cup and saucer set you choose. We recommend mixing different patterns when collecting these plates. Typically, allow Eugenio 3 to 6 months to complete your special orders – as each piece is made for you, and can also be personalized with your name and/or the occasion.
