Prestige

TRADITION SINCE 1685

The first known document that tells about an Antonibon as a ceramist, dates back to September 3, 1685. In it the Venetian Senate confirms to him and two other members the possession of mills “to grind pebbles and mix colours for pots". Forty years after, his son Giovan Battista Antonibon near the paternal palace in Nove (Vicenza), founded a real dynasty of potters who managed to develop and maintain a production of the finest quality, so much that in 1732 the Venetian Republic granted a series of privileges . Later the factory was rewarded with numerous international awards. In 1907 the factory became the property of the Lawyer Lodovico Barettoni, who was succeeded by his son Engineer Guglielmo Barettoni and later by his son Lodovico Barettoni, who now owns the factory together with his family. Helped by young and brilliant artists and supported by our great tradition, the firm has been able to renew itself with vivacity and originality, always focusing on the chromatic research and harmony of the forms, with a refined production that not only suggests the timeless prestigious collections of Antonibon’s models but also takes inspiration from Nature for further artworks.

(1866 – 1933)

Lawyer Lodovico Barettoni

He was a lawyer from Schio (VI). Beside his profession, he helped his sister Lucia, widow of Alessandro Pancera who was the owner of the Tretto di Schio pits and kaolin supplier of the Antonibon factory. At that time the pottery factory was going through a very difficult period and the property had passed into other hands. Lawyer Barettoni made frequent trips to Nove and took lodging in the only inn of the village. There he met some decorators employed in that ancient factory and, speaking of past glories, they complained about the sad present situation. Lawyer Barettoni spoke with a colleague from Schio, Italo Beltrame, and they decided to buy the factory that in the meantime had been put up for sale. The workers were re-hired and the starting was very expensive. The following years were difficult, and in 1912 the partner (Beltrame) retired, worried about the excessive costs for the rebuilding of the factory so Mr Barettoni had to liquidate him. The lawyer, who remained the unique owner, thanks to his kind manners and his generosity, was able to establish an excellent relationship with the workers and especially with the factory managers who, grateful for having resumed their work, did their best to bring the factory to the ancient splendors. Shortly afterwards, however, the First World War broke out and the factory was taken by the army and used for mending vehicles. When the war ended the factory resumed its activity. In 1923 the production of table sets started again with floral decorations, wall plates and large vases decorated with flowers and seascapes, following the fashion of the time. In 1924 asked his son Guglielmo to work with him. In December 1933 the lawyer Lodovico Barettoni died. The factory workers wanted to participate in the mourning of the family with a moving announcement in which they emphasized the qualities of humanity and availability that had always characterized their relationship with the beloved employer.

(1900 – 1970)

Ing. Guglielmo Barettoni

In 1924 Guglielmo, the third of six children, just graduated in chemical engineering and veteran winner in the Italian high jump championships, begins his collaboration with his father Lodovico. Guglielmo is deeply fond of majolica because of its enamel that is so velvety, bright and pleasant to the touch, and for its color rendering to the point that he defines it “the queen in the realm of ceramics”.
The engineer in 1935 married Zenobia Bussandri whose father was the first to start in Bassano, on an industrial scale, the reproduction of antique furniture. The sensitivity and artistic preparation of his wife was a great help to Guglielmo and greatly contributed to the positive development of his work.
From 1946 to 1951 he was also Mayor of Nove. In the post-war period, many young artists came to look for work, waiting for the times to improve in order to be granted with an adequate outlet to their ambitions. Among them we want to remember Settimo Manera, Danilo Andreose, Romano Carotti, Ruffo Giuntini, Felice Vellan, Pompeo Pianezzola, and others.
In 1965 Lodovico jr starts his collaboration with his father Guglielmo.

Lodovico Barettoni

He was born in Nove on December 17, 1936 in the ancient Antonibon’s palace, where his family lived. From an early age he absorbs the creativity and sensitivity of his mother and has the opportunity to grow with the artists who regularly frequented the house and the pottery factory.

After his classical studies, his father offers him a working experience in Germany at a huge ceramic industry. It is there that Lodovico, young and full of enthusiasm, acquires new techniques and, once back in Nove, designs a special machine for ceramic drawing applications and creates a series of new collections that can be customized following the requests of the customers.

In 1966 he married Vania who will be of great help in the administrative and relational management of the activity.

In 1970, because of his father's illness, he took over the management of the factory and entrusted the administrative part to his wife, while his skills became essential in the creation and development of new models, so much that in numerous exhibitions in Italy and abroad he is considered a leader for new trends and his style is often imitated. To overcome the sometimes unfair competition he always recreates new models amazing in terms of imagination and harmony of shapes and colours. He receives a great number of awards and prizes.

At the same time his family grows and the story continues with the active and enthusiastic participation of his daughters in running the factory.