I have posted a pdf of Piccolpasso’s work with both the original Italian and English translation published in 1934 here for educational and research purposes: “The 3 Books of The Potter’s Art” By Piccolpasso (1524-1579).It focuses on the secretes of the potter’s craft in the 16th Century. Piccolpasso focuses mainly on the Italian maiolica production techniques in 3 separate books. The first, focuses on the obtaining and preparation of clay, the potter’s wheel, plaster molds, tools used in the shaping and firing of wares. Book Two, is concerned with glazes, pigments, kilns and firing. Book Three explains the painting and glazing of wares and the second firing by which pigments and glaze are fused onto the ware after the first firing (biscuit).It is to note that Piccolpasso was not a potter. However, according to the Victoria and Albert museum , “there is no doubt that he did try his hand at this art, keen to learn its techniques through practice and observation. An engineer and architect, but also a writer and supporter of the arts, he compiled this treatise for an educated audience who appreciated and purchased maiolica, and wished to understand how it was made.” There are passages in the text that indicate that he did not completely understand what he saw or what he was told, but it remains the definitive work of its time on Italian maiolica.The original Italian manuscript with no translation can be found on the Victoria Albert Museum website or by clicking here for the PDF.
