DESCRIPTION A hand-painted Italian salt grinder in the Ricco 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 sea salt. The ceramic body is hand-painted in Ricco Deruta, Biordi's most popular pattern — a 16th-century Renaissance design traced from Perugino's frescoes, painted in the original blues, yellows, and greens of the era. As a piece that stays out in daily view, the grinder earns its place visually as much as functionally. Often given as a pair with the matching Ricco Deruta pepper grinder. Pairs naturally with Ricco Deruta dinnerware and the sibling Classic Deruta patterns. A favorite Italian-kitchen gift for cooks and anyone setting up a kitchen. 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: Salt grinder (works with whole sea salt or rock salt) Material: Hand-painted majolica ceramic body + stainless steel grinder mechanism Made in: Deruta, Italy Workshop: Tommassini Pattern: Ricco Deruta — Renaissance blues, yellows, and greens Heritage: Renaissance-era Deruta tradition, traced from Perugino's 16th-century frescos Care: Hand wash recommended for combined ceramic + steel pieces Sold as: Individual grinder (pair with the matching Ricco Deruta pepper grinder if desired) Questions buyers ask What is Ricco Deruta? Biordi's most popular pattern for classic Italian dinnerware — and Deruta's most celebrated design. The pattern can be traced to Perugino's frescoes from the 16th century, and is hand-painted with the original blues, yellows, and greens of the traditional Renaissance era. 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 salt does it grind? Use whole sea salt or rock salt — not pre-ground table salt. Fine salt clogs the mechanism. Sea salt is the traditional Italian-kitchen choice and pairs well with the rest of a Deruta-equipped kitchen. 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, even though the ceramic itself is dishwasher safe in isolation. Can I mix this with other Deruta patterns? Yes — Ricco Deruta is built to coordinate with Antico 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 Ricco Deruta — This is Biordi's most popular pattern for classic Italian dinnerware. The design on this majolica pottery can be traced from Perugino's frescos from the 16th century, and is hailed as Deruta's most celebrated design. The Ricco Deruta design is masterfully hand-painted with the original blues, yellows, and greens of the traditional Renaissance era. It has been Biordi's undisputed best-selling Italian pottery and majolica for over 60 years. 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.
