About us

Monica Lazzerini attended the Florence Institute of Art and after a variety of work experiences began to decorate majolica in Montelupo Fiorentino where she met Cinzia Orsi. Both learned directly hands on “in the workshop” to create the décors of the Tuscan tradition of Montelupo from artisan decorators. After having accumulated a significant amount of experience, they founded Artesia Bottega di Ceramica Artigianale, their craft ceramic workshop, in 1990, located in the ancient medieval town of Certaldo.

They specialize in painting on top of enamel, creating their works with mineral-based paints on white enamel using the ancient majolica technique. In their workshop in Certaldo Alto, via Boccaccio 35, it is possible to see firsthand the various phases of production because everything, from design to firing, is done by the two craftswomen: the quality and originality of the pieces are their pride and the hallmark of their factory.

Their objects are the fruit of personal research that ranges from traditional subjects tied to the culture of Tuscan majolica to more modern subjects that are affected by the influences of modern and contemporary art. The craftswomen of Artesia have participated in numerous artistic exhibitions in the public spaces of San Gimignano, Arezzo, Volterra and Monteriggioni, in market exhibitions such as the Mostra dell’Artigianato (Crafts Fair) of Florence, Milan, Rome as well as the crafts market in Piazza del Campo in Siena and in Piazza Strozzi in Florence.