Made a Mano is a lifetime project by the company founder and artist Rosario Parrinello. After 40 years of artistic quest, the production of lava stone tiles and traditional Sicilian majolica was launched in 2001. The manufacturer is headquartered in Caltagirone, the town that entreasures the secrets of ceramics and pottery production on Sicily. The heart of the island is the active Etna volcano, which has significantly contributed to the traditions of lava stone working on Sicily.
It should be noted that lava stone is a unique natural material. As compared to marble, granite and terracotta, it is more resistant to temperature drops and stains. Moreover, lava stone is highly valued for ultimate resistance to wear and impact. This material is strong enough to be employed for the production of large-format slabs (150×300 cm). Lava stone is quarried by Made a Mano at the bottom of Etna with the application of traditional processes. The rock is partially caved and excavated. The cut blocks are thoroughly inspected to select those which meet stringent requirements relative to sizes and aesthetic characteristics. Thereafter, the lava blocks are dressed to obtain regular rectangles, and cut into slabs using diamond wire. Then lava stone is forwarded to the manufacturing facility to be cut into various sizes and prepared for further processing.
The glazed lava stone by Made a Mano merges the centuries-old traditions, vanguard design and state-of-the-art technologies. The versatile patterns are applied to the surface of lava stone items using special glazing. Remarkably, the first experiments by Rosario Parrinello with this extraordinary coating by date back to 1986. The manufacturer offers an ample range of ornaments: from the juicy and flamboyant traditional Mediterranean motives, to the minimalist geometrical elements, typical of the Scandinavian design school. Like in any small family undertaking in Italy, which focuses on manual production, the craftsmen of Made a Mano also apply the ornaments according to customer's sketches. The item sizes are customizable as well. The extra-strong lava stone easily withstands both firing in kilns and cutting into non-standard sizes.
The booth of Made a Mano at I Saloni 2015 Komon Natura by Made a Mano.
Komon Natura in the interior of Oste e Cuoco, a Sicilian specialty restaurant in Milan (Italy). Designed by Lissoni Studio
Besides, Made a Mano also produce two types of terracotta tiles. The so-called "industrial cotto" is characterized by the regular edges and easy installation. Whilst the traditional "manual cotto" is formed exclusively by hand. The irregular edges add an unparalleled authentic look and charm to this products of high artistic value.
The Novecento collection
Novecento and Komon by Made a Mano
The Cristalli, Komon and Komon Natura series applied in the interior of the Timido Ubriaco restaurant (Giarre, Sicily)
Made a Mano. The Tiles Born on the Island of Sicily 27.05.16
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