Gubbio’s ceramics, renowned for their quality and beauty, are the result of centuries of artisanal expertise. Much of their international fame is due to the art of applying “lustro”, mastered by Mastro Giorgio Andreoli, originally from Lombardy but a proud citizen of Gubbio. Starting from the second half of the 15th century, alongside the already numerous local potters, several craftsmen from outside the city arrived—this influx brought fresh energy and led to a distinct, recognizable style.

Today, as you stroll through the ancient streets of Gubbio, you’ll discover workshops and studios where artisans still work using traditional techniques passed down through generations. Gubbio ceramics are known for the extraordinary metallic shine of their classic majolica, yet they also reflect innovation and contemporary flair, pursued by a new generation of artists. The city’s long-standing connection with the Gubbio Art Biennale has fostered a spirit of renewal in the ceramic arts.

Mastro Giorgio’s works are famous for the richness of their decoration, often featuring mythological, religious, or allegorical scenes rendered with extraordinary detail and artistry. His command of the luster technique allowed him to create unique effects of light and depth, turning his ceramics into true masterpieces.

Of the more than 600 works attributed to Mastro Giorgio and now scattered in museums around the world, only two remain in his hometown—and they can be admired at the Civic Museum in Palazzo dei Consoli.

The lustro of Mastro Giorgio is a ceramic decoration technique that reached its peak of beauty and complexity in Gubbio under the skilled hands of Mastro Giorgio Andreoli in the 16th century. The technique perfected by Mastro Giorgio significantly contributed to the fame of Gubbio’s ceramics, marking them as one of the finest artistic expressions of the Italian Renaissance.

Luster is a technique that involves the application of metallic salts (such as gold, copper, and silver) onto the surface of a ceramic object that has already been glazed and fired once. These salts, during a second firing at a relatively low temperature in a reduction kiln (with limited oxygen), transform and give the surface metallic and iridescent reflections, with tones ranging from ruby to gold to blue—creating extraordinary visual effects.

“For Mastro Giorgio, luster is not just an artistic technique (…) it is an immersive experience, perhaps even an obsession, involving both rational and imaginative, emotional, and instinctive dimensions. It is the attempt to master hidden forces and to bend the elements of nature to produce iridescent and shimmering glazes. (…). The master died in 1554, taking with him the secret of pigments, blends, and firings conducted and controlled with dry broom branches. He carried with him the mystery of luminous ceramics, crafted with light. He carried with him the secret of Mastro Giorgio.”

(from “Gubbio città d’Arte” by E. Sannipoli and F. Mariucci, available at the Biblioteca Sperelliana)

A visit to the “Brocche d’Autore” Museum, set up within the section of the Civic Museum at Palazzo dei Consoli dedicated to the Ceri – Enjoy & Share – in Via Baldassini, is a must for anyone passionate about the art of ceramics.

The “Brocche d’Autore” Competition is an artistic and cultural event established in 2002, dedicated to the creation of original brocche (pitchers). It draws inspiration from this everyday object, present in people’s lives for centuries, and especially from its symbolic role in the ritual of the Festa dei Ceri.

In this context, “d’Autore” signifies that the brocche submitted are unique works of art, created by ceramicists and artists who reinterpret the pitcher through their personal aesthetic and technical vision. The competition becomes a meeting point between tradition and innovation, inviting artists to express their creativity while honoring Gubbio’s rich cultural and artisanal heritage.

The Brocche d’Autore Competition in Gubbio is not just a contest, but also an opportunity to celebrate and promote ceramic art, encouraging artists to explore new expressive paths. It’s a key cultural event that draws visitors and enthusiasts from all over Italy and beyond.

Bucchero is a particularly distinctive and valuable type of Etruscan pottery, dating back to between the 7th and 5th centuries BC. When you think of bucchero, imagine vases, cups, and plates made from a glossy black ceramic material, almost metallic in appearance. This distinctive dark, shiny finish was achieved through a firing process in a reduced-oxygen atmosphere, which gave the pottery its intense black color and smooth, reflective surface.

While part of the broader Etruscan tradition, Gubbio’s bucchero stands out for certain features tied to the city’s unique geographic and cultural context. Located at the edge of the Etruscan world, Gubbio developed its own interpretations and techniques for working with bucchero, blending local influences with traditional methods. Bucchero objects were often decorated with incised geometric patterns, stylized animals, or mythological scenes, reflecting the beliefs and social customs of Etruscan and Umbrian communities.

These creations were not just everyday items, but held strong symbolic value. They were frequently used in ceremonial contexts or as funerary offerings, highlighting the deep connection between bucchero pottery and the religious and cultural practices of the time.

Bucchero is still crafted today by various artisan workshops in Gubbio. You’ll come across these workshops as you explore the upper part of the historic center.