MAJOLICA MEDICI: The Majolica Medici Collection takes its name from the ancient Florentine Medici family as it feature their renown family emblem depicting five red balls and one blue, on a gold shield.The House of Medici was a political dynasty, banking family and later royal house that first began to gather prominence under Cosimo de'' Medici in the Republic of Florence during the late 14th century.The Medici crests still decorate numerous ''palazzo'' buildings all over Florence and Tuscany indicating the Medici connection or that was financed using Medici money...Our Majolica Medici collection feature painstakingly museum quality reproductions from 15th and 16th century original Tuscany''s designs.Each piece of this Artistica''s exclusive collection is individually hand crafted in Montelupo Fiorentino, an important Tuscan center for ceramics since medieval times.Its success can be credited to the natural abundance of clay in the surrounding area, primarily due to frequent flooding of the Arno River.These Majolica pieces are true classics created using the now rare technique called ''ingobbio'', an ancient Tuscan process that produces an authentic ''Old World'' look, adding significant body to the colors.You can actually feel the consistent (almost raised) body of the painting when gently passing your hand over decorated parts.Due to the complexity of both preparation and painting, this technique is now used by very few artisans, which makes these items very hard to find.All items of our Antica Majolica collection are painstakingly hand painted with traditional designs of the best Tuscan tradition.Nowadays, these exclusive ''renaissance-era'' adornments offer an authentic Mediterranean look to interiors, patio, and garden areas. Great for either Indoor or Outdoor Use.28" Diam.