Balducci Ceramics, San Gimignano

Balducci Ceramica is a captivating ceramics owned by Franco Balducci and his wife Esther Vogeli. Since opening its doors in 1990, it has offered visitors an enchanting peek into the ancient craft of pottery in a truly magical setting.

Franco Balducci, a native of Milan born in 1959, discovered his love for ceramics as early as age thirteen. After training in Milan, he moved to Tuscany and ultimately established his workshop. His craftsmanship is particularly distinctive-he works with high-temperature stoneware, fired at around 1300 °C, often using materials sourced from northern Europe. His continued experimentation with form, color, and technique shows a strong dedication to developing traditional ceramic art.

Esther Vogeli, originally Swiss and resident in Tuscany since 1985, brings her own creative flair to the workshop. She specializes in both slab and bas-relief methods, crafting artistically expressive tiles-often featuring Tuscan landscapes or abstract motifs-as well as endearing clay animals.

For art enthusiasts keen on public displays, several of Franco’s works are woven into the fabric of the town itself. These include two plaques on the façade of the Palace of the People from 1998, another on Folgore Street opposite the museums, and a heartfelt sculpture titled “Traveller of Peace” installed in Diacceto Alley in 2007.