Fratelli Minardi - Ceramics Factory in Faenza
The factory for the production of
ceramics "Brothers Minardi Ceramics Faentine" is founded
by Virginio and Venturino Minardi in Faenza in 1899, on
the premises of the former ceramics factory of Joseph
Ghinassi in via degli Infermi.
The factory produces high quality
ceramics with technique and style. Because of the
economic hardships, the production and gains are low, Virginio
decides to leave Faenza and go to work in France by the
factory "Hospied" where it takes new techniques but also
is aware of the new styles, Pre-Raphaelite and Art
Nouveau.
In the early years of the century, some
of the products marketed by the company are made from
the prototype Co-operative Society "Aemilia Ars" in
Bologna.
In 1903 Venturino marries the rich French
noblewoman Caterine Lefèvre. With his wife decides to
build a large ceramic factory in Faenza, in Baccarini
street, where to transfer the manufacture and asks his
brother to return to Faenza.
In 1904 the manufacture takes place in
the Exhibition Regional Romagna Ravenna.
In 1908 he was awarded the first prize at
the Biennial Exhibition of Art Romagna
In 1907 Venturino dies of an unknown
illness and his brother Virginio continued production
until 1912 when, perhaps poisoned by lead showcases,
dies too.
Starting from 1913 for a period of time
the factory is managed directly by some of the workers
who work there.
With the advent of World War I, only four
members are working at the factory, who are taking some
very young and women including the brothers Ugo and
Giuseppe Jacchia , Emma Pozzi and Clorinda Pompignoli .
At the end of the war the factory remains
in the hands of Francesco and Luigi Castellini Masini
and in 1922 the "Brothers Minardi Ceramics Faentine "
closes , premises and equipment manufacturing are
detected by the industrialist Ravenna Umberto Focaccia
that , in company with Pietro Melandri , former official
of the " Minardi " , founded the important ceramics
factory " Melandri and Focaccia ."
The mark of manufacture " Minardi
Brothers Pottery Faentine " consists of the letters "MF
. Faenza " and the years following the death of Virginio
Minardi mark is affixed in the letter " S" which shows
the society .
At the pottery school of the factory "
Minardi ", work the best talents as Alfredo Biagini ,
Almerigo Masotti , Domenico Baccarini , Achilles Wildi ,
Paolo Zoli , Anselmo Bucci, Ercole Drei , Luigi Bertoni
, Pietro Golfari and Riccardo Gatti.
Works:
Casa Matteucci -Faenza
Casa Albonetti - Faenza