Bucchero’s new lives: From Ornaments to Architectural Surfaces

“Black is a colour in itself, one that sums up and consumes all the others,” Henri Matisse affirmed. Refined and powerful, the dark aesthetic bursts into interior design as bucchero takes centre stage—an ancient material with a contemporary allure. Krei highlights this millennia-old ceramic in interior design projects, supporting studios and designers in the selection and processing of the distinctive black ceramic for flooring and cladding. The research goes further as Bucchero is enhanced through the creation of everyday objects that blur the line with art. The creative gesture shapes the distinctive black ceramic into artistic forms, resulting in functional and striking objects designed to ‘decorate’ various spaces.

Bucchero for New Unique Accessories

Vases, centrepieces, and bottles bring the wonder of the unexpected, surprising with shapes that evoke sculptures and works of art made from natural raw materials. The minimal and pure lines enhance the distinctive total black, bringing out the full creative power that drives the creative process in service of contemporary interior design.

The new Bucchero design pieces combine sleek lines and sinuous shapes, where pure aesthetics take precedence over functionality. Sometimes, it’s astonishing to have an object on the table that captures attention and sparks curiosity. An unconventional take on the classic bottle, the result of experimentation, where the material takes centre stage in its various facets.

The Bucchero in its glossy finish enhances the precious silhouette, with a long, slender neck. On the other hand, its raw and authentic soul gives character to the bottle, creating a striking decorative piece that blends art and design.

Bucchero is Ancient Craftsmanship

Black Bucchero is a type of pottery produced in Etruria, a region in central Italy, during the Etruscan period (8th-3rd century BC). This pottery is distinguished by its black colour, which comes from the presence of manganese in the clay used for its production. Black Bucchero was highly popular among the Etruscans and was used to make vases, cups, plates, and other items for daily life. It was also used as funerary material and has been found in many Etruscan tombs.
Black Bucchero was produced using a high-temperature firing process, which resulted in a very durable and hard ceramic. The firing was done in special kilns, known as ‘Etruscan kilns,’ which could reach temperatures of up to 1000 degrees Celsius. The production technique was highly sophisticated for its time, and the Etruscans were masters in its creation. They were able to craft complex shapes and intricate decorations, using both turning and pressing techniques. Black Bucchero had a significant influence on ancient art and craftsmanship, particularly in the Mediterranean region.

Bucchero for Flooring and Cladding

Bucchero is used to create flooring of exceptional elegance, with a striking yet dynamic colour impact. The natural black, combined with various finishes and artisanal shaping, results in an eco-friendly tile that is unique in both tone and form, distinctive in its production method, and with a final effect that is both precious and timeless. All flooring options are custom-made and created in close collaboration with the client.
A new proposal combines classic square formats with smaller strips to create original patterns and custom finishes for each specific space.

Bucchero flooring gives a strong character to any space, complementing a variety of interior design trends, from minimalist to modern styles. It can be paired with neutral tones like white and grey to brighten the space, while combinations with more vibrant colours create unexpected contrasts.

Among the most striking applications of bucchero is its use for bathroom cladding, designed to maximize its aesthetic impact, creating an elegant, refined, and highly distinctive effect.

Text: Silvia Cutuli