The Republic of San Marino (RSM) most often referred to simply as San Marino is a tiny independent country classified geo-politically as a microstate. It is the world's smallest republic (24 sq. miles) and the third smallest country in Europe behind the Vatican and Monaco. It has a population of only thirty thousand citizens. Most surprising of all is the fact that it is completely surrounded by the country of Italy. It is located between the regions of Emilia Romagna and Marche. San Marino is the oldest sovereign state and constitutional republic in the world. It was established by a stonecutter, Saint Marinus of Rab, in 301 A.D. as a monastic enclave. The Constitution of San Marino, created in 1600, is the world's oldest existing constitution to still remain active today.
Although it is only a tiny dot on the world map it is internationally famous for two products – its postage stamps and its ceramics. Since 1877 the country has created postage stamps for use within its own borders only. The first series of stamps reproduced the three towers of Mount Titano, symbol of the Country. The design was created by the firm, Fratelli Pellas of Genoa and the stamps were printed in Turin by the Officina Carta e Valori, on Italian watermarked paper.
The first commemorative issue dates back to 1894 and was dedicated to an important historical event in the history of San Marino: the inauguration of the Public Palace. The government raises significant revenue from the international sale of its stamps to Philatelist worldwide.
Unadorned simple utilitarian pottery such as cups, plates, washbasins, etc., have been produced in San Marino since its inception seventeen hundred years ago but artistically decorated wares did not make their appearance until the mid twentieth century. In 1955 the government took notice of this new industry growing in its midst and to its credit decided to help promote it by creating an International Exhibition of Modern Ceramics. From June through October of that year the exhibition took place at the Kursaal Congress Center and met with great international press coverage.
It is these Mid Century Modern (MCM) ceramics that have captivated collectors over the last few decades and ever-increasing prices for these examples serve as proof of their growing popularity. This article will take a quick look at the major studios and factories inside San Marino operating during this exciting period of change and experimentation. Most examples of San Marino pottery were created for use as souvenirs, commemoratives and advertising pieces but above all else as special containers for numerous liqueur manufacturers. This niche allowed the potteries of San Marino to compete with major Italian factories and enter an international marketplace.
Walter Del Pellegrino
Casali Ceramiche: 1927 - 1938
This was one of the oldest potteries in San Marino. It was established by Alfredo Casali in 1927 to supply utilitarian wares. By the mid 1930’s Alfredo handed over control of the factory to his son Ercole and his son transformed the factory into a workplace for creative ceramic art, mostly in the traditional Renaissance and Baroque style.
An early employee at the studio was a very young artist named Augusto Giulianelli. Augusto received much of his practical experience working in the nearby city of Faenza, one of Italy’s great ceramic production centers. Giulianelli was employed by studios led by Fiumi as well as Gatti and Wildi. In San Marino this influential ceramist eventually helped to establish the Titano factory and later opened his own studio.
Masi Ceramiche: 1938 - 1947
In 1938 Luigi Masi purchased the Casali factory and continued to produce lusterware and Renaissance revivial pottery in the manner of Casali and using Casali’s original molds.
In the mid 1930’s Masi hired such notable artisans as Augusta Giulianelli, who later opened his own studio, Giuseppe Fiumi, the great Faentine artist Achille Wildi and Leo Gatti, who also eventually opened his own factory.
Marmaca: 1947 – 1964
This, above all others, is the most important factory in the recent history of the tiny republic. It was Marmaca that led the way. It was creative, innovative and bold. It was the first to delve into the modern art movement and embrace its spirit of inventiveness. The firm was created in 1947 with the partnership of Luigi Masi, Fillipo Martelli and Wilfredo Carlin. One year later three new partners bought shares in the enterprise; Antonio Meoni, Luigi Agosteo and Dino Diomedi. All three arrived simultaneously as a team. They had met each other while employed by Richard-Ginori at the famed factory at San Cristoforo.
By 1949 Marmaca employed almost two hundred individuals and developed a worldwide clientele. Such success does not go unnoticed, especially in a tiny country. Other entrepreneurs took notice and by the early 1950’s a number of new studios and factories began to dot the map of San Marino.
Marinova: 1953 - 1955
This was a short-lived enterprise that produced items in ceramics and glass. It was created by Raffaele Amati and Gozi Guiulbaldo.
Titano: 1952 – 1981
The name of the company is also the name of the mountain that San Marino sits atop. The firm was established by six former employees of Marmaca: Augusto Giulianelli, Giuseppe Fiumi, Angelo Moretti, Armando Berardi, Umberto Masi, Giancarlo Villa and Remo Zafferana.
Sacasa: 1954 – 1982
Created by Leo Gatti and Marino Chiaruzzi for both commercial production and limited artistic pieces the company met with quick success. In 1964, when Marmaca closed its doors, Sacasa readily absorbed the unemployed workers. In that year the firm changed its name to Acas (Artigianato Ceramiche Artistiche Sammarinesi). Many early pieces by Sacasa are marked Hugo.
Libertas: 1955 - 1987
This firm, started by three brothers; Vittorio, Cesare and Romano Meloni concentrated mostly on advertising pieces such as ashtrays, pencil holders, mugs and so forth for commercial giants throughout Europe. Many well known artists and designers were employed by Libertas including Aldo Borgani, Oscar Ducci, Carlo Ricci and Franco Ruffinelli.
SAM: 1956 – 1989
The Società Anonima Marina (SAM) was established by several ex-Marmaca employees including Aldo Busignani and Omero Nocentini. From its inception to its closing in 1989 the factory was under the directorship of Luigi Guarino
STELLA POLARE CERAMICHE: 1962 – 1989
This firm, although achieving commercial success is almost forgotten a name in San Marino ceramics. I have only seen two or three examples over many years of collecting. The company was established by a number of ex-employees of Marmaca.
ANGI: 1962-1968
Little has been written about this small studio. Antonio Ravioli, who worked at Titano, also worked there. I have never seen an example from this studio.
Le Favre: 1967 - 1985
This was a small ceramic manufacturing company founded by Aldo Borgani. Production consisted of modern decorative pieces decorated by Borgani. He did not create any pottery pieces acquired unpainted, unglazed items (biscuits) from other manufacturers and studios.
Ducci – Cellarosi: 1970 - 1995
Libero Cellarosi was born in Faenza in 1945. At the age of nine he took a summer job in the Libertas pottery of the Meloni Brothers in San Marino. By the age of 12 he was employed full time. It was at Libertas that Cellarosi met his supervisor, master ceramist, Oscar Ducci and the two struck up a strong friendship. In the 1960's Ducci was employed by the Santi pottery. In the 1970's Cellarosi and Ducci opened their own studio in San Marino. I believe it remained active until the 1990's. Cellarosi, who is semi-retired, now teaches the art of decorating ceramics, and of 2002 was still producing fantastic pieces as a hobby.
Di Pasquale: 1976 – 2001
Established by Alfredo Di Pasquale and his wife, Giulia Rastelli for the creation of artistic pieces for home décor. Umberto Masi was occasionally called upon to create special pieces at the Di Pasquale studio.
Gatti: 1990 - Present
Leo Gatti was born in 1934 and has devoted his entire life to the ceramic arts. In 1954 he established Sacasa, later renamed Arcas. His current enterprise is officially known as “Studio Artistico Gatti”.
This list is certainly not complete bur it does offer the novice collector a source and a starting point in order to delve deeper into the rich history of San Marino Pottery.
Walter Del Pellegrino