Manufacture
Our producers
Our ceramics are made in Portugal in close cooperation with selected, mostly family-run manufacturers. With a great deal of experience, care and attention to detail, they implement our design and color ideas using traditional craftsmanship.
We focus on fair, responsible and environmentally conscious production. Through regular visits to the production facilities, we ensure quality and working conditions and maintain a close, cooperative partnership.
The raw material comes from the region of our manufacturers in Portugal. This keeps transportation routes short and material quality consistently high.
SHAPES
We use high-quality stoneware for our products, which is fired at a minimum temperature of 1,180 °C. This high firing temperature gives our ceramics their density, robustness and durability. It is resistant to everyday use and at the same time retains its natural, timeless aesthetics.
Each piece begins as a simple lump of clay. From this, round basic shapes are created, which are then processed by hand with great care, experience and a fine feel for the material. During this process, each object is carefully shaped, smoothed and refined.
Small irregularities and individual nuances are not a flaw, but a deliberate feature of our handmade ceramics. They make each piece unique and give it its very own character.
Drying
In the second step, the shaped pieces are usually dried outdoors. The natural heat of the sun gently removes excess moisture from the raw material and optimally prepares it for the subsequent firing.
This slow and even drying process is crucial for the quality of the ceramic. It ensures that stresses in the material are reduced and the shape remains stable. This prevents cracks or deformations from occurring during the firing process in the kiln.
At the same time, the clay develops its initial strength during this phase. The combination of time, patience and natural conditions makes a significant contribution to ensuring that each piece meets the high standards of durability and aesthetics.
Firing & glazing
In the next step, the pieces are fired at around 1,200 °C for around eight hours. During this first firing, the material compacts, giving the ceramic its high stability and robustness. The shape is permanently strengthened and is then ideally suited for everyday use.
After a controlled cooling phase, the glaze is applied by hand. With great sensitivity, individual color gradients and subtle nuances are created, making each piece visually unique. No two objects are exactly alike - each one bears its own signature.
The pieces are then fired a second time. This firing permanently bonds the glaze to the ceramic and creates a smooth, resistant surface. The result is a harmonious interplay of functionality, durability and aesthetic quality.
Completion
In the final step, the finished products receive their Portofino stamp. Each individual item is carefully checked once again to ensure our quality standards. The products are then packed with great care to ensure that they find their way to us safely and intact.
When the pallets finally reach us from Portugal, it is a special moment every time - because with every piece we rediscover the beauty of this handmade work and fall in love with it again and again.
So the journey of ceramics ends where for many it only begins: in your home, as a long-lasting companion with character and history.
