Roberto Bonechi of Florence, Italy and his wife, painter Brita Holmquist started importing a fine Italian Pottery called Majolica in the winter of 1984 for their friends, who came and bought from the floor of their dining room in Cumberland, Maine. The first shipment was just three wooden crates. Since then the business has expanded to encompass most of the pottery making regions of Italy.

R. Bonechi Imports buys from the finest Italian earthenware factories in each region to ensure that your store will be able to display work of museum quality craftsmanship. We guarantee that each piece is hand painted, and in many cases, hand built as well. Roberto Bonechi travels to Italy twice a year and chooses the pieces personally. Every shipment, therefore, includes unique selections as well as production work. Throughout the web site you will see that certain pieces will be marked as unique, but though that particular piece may already have been sold, the person who painted it will probably have made similar pieces from which you may purchase.

Many of the Italian ceramic designs are traditional and have been painted on Majolica for hundreds of years. While other pieces were invented by imaginative artists just last year.

Deruta: We carry the traditional designs of world famous hand painted majolica such as Raffaelesco, Ricco Deruta and Arabesco in pieces ranging from umbrella stands to demitasse cups and saucers. We also are the sole purveyors of  Brita Holmquist design including Palio, Buona Fortuna, and Maine Islands mugs.

Puglia: The Puglia region of Italy has maintained clay works since before the Roman Empire. The tradition continues today in hand made and painted planters, statuary, and candlesticks as well as many unique architectural pieces.

Sicily: The variety of cultural influences on the Sicilian Island is made obvious in their earthenware. Architectural urns and tiles as well as complex figurines are to be found there. The majolica dishes and bowls are hand painted in brilliant color and are charmingly contemporary.

Tuscany: We work with many artisans to bring a large selection of diverse earthenware to our customers. Everything from umbrella stands to pitchers and platters as well as Della Robbia plaques are housed in our barn.

Ornamental: This section contains garden planters, cache pot, vases, and tiles, as well as unique urns, umbrella stands and statuary.  Here you will also find lamp bases and candlesticks. All our pieces are hand built and painted.