Beautiful Italian Tableware from Northern Umbria

A Bizzirri Photo
It took me a few years after we bought our house in Sansepolcro to discover that 15 minutes down the road there was a well-known Italian house of ceramics. Bizzirri makes beautiful tableware, houseware and garden furnishings. It’s a family-run business that launched in 1954. Bizzirri’s product is very different from the Italian ceramics you see produced in places like Deruta. A Bizzirri plate has a simpler design. It’s more rustic-looking but also no less beautiful.
[Attention Bizzirri Lovers: After you view this post, see the photos from my lastest visit to the Bizzirri showroom in April 2016 by clicking here.]

A Bizzirri photo
Bizzirri has made tableware for American companies such as Neiman Marcus, Horchow and Sur la Table. You can also sometimes find a Bizzirri item at HomeGoods and, I understand, there was once a line sold at Target. I also understand it sold quickly. The showroom is located just off the E45 autostrada south of Sansepolcro. The official address of the factory/showroom is Citta di Castello. But it’s really located just north of Citta in a quiet industrial park on Via G. Pastore in a small suburb called Cerbara: Bizzirri. This is northern Umbria just south of the Tuscan line.
I’ve often gone browsing in the showroom, the elegant one up front and the factory showroom in back. I really agree the company succeeds in its aim: combining the traditional with the modern. Finally this summer I took the plunge and ordered a set of dishes. I liked the very pretty pattern you see below but the set I use here at home in the U.S. also has a fruit pattern. So…I’m really fruited out.
My husband and I settled on the set you see below. Yellow and aqua that the pictures don’t do justice to. This pattern is unlike anything I’ve ever had. I know the bowl shape is very odd-looking but it can easily hold soup, salad or pasta. My daughter says the bowl looks like it’s been “overcooked.” That may be but these dishes can go in the dishwasher or the microwave. My dishes are made to order and I was told they’d be shipped in about 60 days. They’re being made as I type this. I expect them in early fall. The lovely and very patient Mariella waited on us and also arranged for the shipping with DHL.
I have no stock in this company, no vested interest in promoting Bizzirri except that I love their gorgeous products. I paid retail and only got a discount because of volume. Once a few years ago though, the owner gave me one of those long olive dishes because I brought in a friend who bought a set of dishes. That was my freebie.
Here’s another pattern I photographed. Notice the gravy boat…probably for the foreign market as I’ve never seen a gravy boat on a dinner table in Italy. I think this may have been part of a holiday pattern.
Below you see a more informal pattern in beautiful colors.
When you visit you can browse the thousands of pieces for sale in the warehouse. There are some great buys here. You can just buy a big stack of their dinner plates and walk away.

A Bizzirri photo
Below you see a beautiful pattern with a matching soup tureen. Bizzirri is, understandably, a popular place for wedding registrations.
Bizzirri also sells ceramic home accessories. I see you’re still with me so far.
Below you see a touch of Bizzirri whimsy. I just love their stuff!
I have fallen hopelessly in love with these beautiful patterns. I am a longtime collector of Deruta. I recently purchased a Bizzirri creamer at Home Goods. I am in the market for service for 12. How can I make a purchase?
I would appreciate your guidance.
Grazie
Laurie
Laurie, so you’ve discovered the beauty of Bizzirri as I have. The Bizzirri Web site has said for a long time that it is a work in progress and as you can see they direct people to their Facebook page. That’s probably where you can find samples. Try emailing: romina@bizzirri.it as she is the woman I corresponded with when they sent me my set of dishes last month. She will most likely be able to give you guidance about ordering. I ordered service for 14. They make them up for you. It takes about 3 months and they arrive via DHL. My were all in perfect condition. Good Luck, Barbara
I bought a dinnerware service for 4 made by Bizzirri from Neiman Marcus about 8 years or so ago; the large dinner plates are deep chocolate brownw/ small lighter striations and the salad plates and bowls and mugs are cream and brown design. I cannot find them anywhere. Do you still make them? I can send a photo if you like. I would love to be able to purchase another service for 4.
Patricia, sorry for the delay. I have emailed Bizzirri but not heard back. You can try an email: info@bizzirri.it. I do not know if they would run off only 4 place settings or what deal they have with Neiman Marcus but you can always try. You can also give them a call in case of no email response: 011-39-075-851-0188. Good luck. Barbara