Righe e Stelle

"Righe e stelle," meaning "lines and stars" in Italian, is an iconic decorative style emblematic of the folk ceramics of Puglia. This technique involves using hand-cut sponge stamps to repeatedly apply blue "rosette" patterns, which can be interpreted as small flowers or stars.

Since the mid-19th century, these rosette motifs have been produced in countless variations and have come to be known in Grottaglie as "righe e stelle." While the molds and arrangements became somewhat standardized within each workshop, the varying pressure of the stamp and the amount of pigment used create subtle differences in each impression, giving every single piece its own unique character and expression.

Remaining in continuous use to this day, this pattern is one of Southern Italy's most iconic decorations, deeply cherished in people's daily lives both in the past and the present.