Isabel Parente

DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK

Workshop dedicated to the production of artistic ceramics, specialized in the restoration of tiling and ceramic elements and the replacement of pieces for constructions. 

For the elaboration of their ceramics they use metal oxides, pigments, pastes (clays), enamels, etc., always first quality raw materials. This way they guarantee the quality, exclusiveness and durability of their products. 

When working in the reproductions of pieces, new designs, or in their restoration, they always start their process with a detailed investigation of the polychromy, in order to faithfully reproduce the pieces. 

The supporting element, which may be an industrial tile, a manually manufactured artisanal one, mouldings, etc. are also studied in format and thickness to ensure the adequate reproduction of the piece. When they work with ronde-bosse pieces, such as architectural pieces, an expert potter collaborates with them to reproduce the same piece in clay for its later decoration. 

After, they manufacture the enamel, usually of an opaque white colour, which is going to be the “canvas” on top of which they will proceed to decorate the piece, always by hand. This enamel is the result of mixing different components such as kaolin, lead disilicate, zinc oxide, etc. in the correct proportions to achieve the right colour for the initial base. Next, they fit the design of the piece in its supporting element and, right after, they decorate it with a paintbrush by hand with the selected polychromy (manganese oxide, cobalt oxide, copper oxide, etc.). Once the piece is finished, it is fired again with an adequate firing curve, and the piece is fired for about ten hours, reaching a temperature of 980ºC – which can vary depending on the piece between 960ºC and 1200ºC. In this phase, the polychromy and the glazing is carried out, which will be key to obtain the characteristics which have been requested. 

These are, in summary, the phases all pieces go through from beginning to end. The preparation of them is what may vary. For example, a specific sort of tiling, the arista tile, is elaborated carving first the negative mould to then obtain positive copies of the piece. 

On occasions, there are pieces which are currently no longer available or, simply, that the factories which used to manufacture them no longer exist. Many times the copies on the market do not meet the requirements to replace the original piece for one of those in an intervention dating from a certain period. That is when their work comes in. 

Their work is basically artisanal since they manufacture the pieces as their masters used to do, with the same traditional techniques. The only update which they have incorporated to the work process is the type of furnace they use, which is now an electrical one. Apart from that, the workshop is a faithful follower of the master craftsmen which came before them, artists who left very valuable architectural richness which today we can enjoy the view of.