Antique Sicilian mould called formella that gives out the positive of an acanthus flower.
In the 18th and 19th century, a formella maiolicata was a ceramic mould, decorated with reliefs, used to imprint designs into clay (and sometimes foodstuffs). Its main role was in ceramic workshops, to reproduce tiles, plaques, and ornamental elements efficiently but still beautifully.
In ceramic history, a formella wasn’t just a finished decorative tile — it also referred to a mould or matrix used by artisans.
A formella maiolicata was a ceramic mould (made with the maiolica technique). It carried a relief pattern or decorative motif impressed into it.
Artisans would press clay or dough into the formella to replicate the design.
Once removed, the shaped piece could then be glazed and fired (for tiles, plates, or plaques). These moulds allowed for reproducibility of patterns while still allowing hand-finishing and painting for uniqueness. Allowed workshops to supply consistent designs for churches, noble houses, and later bourgeois interiors.
Before industrial moulding, the formella maiolicata was an essential tool for standardizing decoration while keeping the artisan’s hand visible. It bridged the gap between purely hand-crafted and semi-reproducible design in ceramics.
Dimensions: 11 x 14 x 5cm
