The usage of earthenware dates back to the 10th century before Christ. During the Neolithic Age, earthenware was produced for domestic use. Successively, earthenware has been used with a broad variety of intentions: for the decoration of palaces, as a construction material, and as an artistic object, for example in statues of different sizes. The decoration of objects, frequently made with glossy and natural paint obtained with secret recipes, is still the distinctive trait of every family of potters. In the past centuries, the production of earthenware was truly widespread in the rural areas of Romagna. Tools for domestic use were mainly produced, ranging from jars for the transportation of water to kitchen utensils. Years of experience made it possible for the artisan to have the necessary mastery to create – with the help of a lathe – even jugs with handles and lips, as well as other objects with a more sophisticated shape. A peculiar example of earthenware, very common in Romagna, is the socalled “nun” (“suora”). It is an ancient recipient which contained the ember of the fireplace, used to warm beds.
The “nun” was placed in the “priest” (“prete”), a wooden structure that contained the “nun”. The town of Santa Maria del Piano, which is part of the area of Montescudo-Monte Colombo, since the 18th Century is home to various notorious mills and ateliers which produce earthenware. The last descendents of the artisans are Flavio and Geo Casadei. They represent the fifth generation that continue the craft learned from their ancestors. Their atelier has a special charme. The crafts are carried out with the same tools so, this way, the art is passed on. Flavio Casadei still owns the old wood-burning oven – which still functions – that is used for the baking of earthenware and the firing of pottery. This is a very rare – if not unique – finding. Today, we have the chance to observe the processes which date back to ancient times. Some of those processes are, for example, the “loading” of the oven with refined clay; the lightning of the oven and its alimentation, bringing the temperature up to 350-500 °C (662 – 932 °F); the cooking of clay, which leads to the finished product.