BRING IT HOME

Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro (1846-1905) was one of Portugal’s most iconic and beloved artists. Known for his caricature art and humorist drawings, as well as his ceramic creations, he was one of the most influential people of 19th century Portuguese culture. In 1884 Bordallo Pinheiro began producing ceramics at the Fábrica de Faianças in Caldas, where he continued creating a vast range of ce ramic art until his death in 1905. The breadth of his ceramic work included tiles, panels, pots, centerpieces, fountain basins, dishes, vases, animals and more. After his death, his son, Manuel Gustavo Bordallo Pinheiro continued his father’s work to keep the ceramic tradition alive. When he passed away, a group of influential people continued the Bordallo Pinheiro tradition at Caldas. After the financial crisis in 2008 the company was purchased by Grupo Visabeira. The company ensures the preservation of the artist’s legacy and production, which still takes place in the factory where he created his ceramics, known today as Faianças Artísticas Bordallo Pinheiro Ltd.

Bordallo Pinheiro’s ceramic creations, many of which are rooted in flora and fauna, remain wildly popular today and can be found in shops throughout the country. Dinnerware, serving pieces and more are painted in exuberant hues. They delightfully illustrate, in clay, the unfurled leaves of cabbage, juicy ripe strawberries, delicate melons and so on. They punctuate dinner tables in Portugal and abroad, and are a delight to behold and to eat from. We couldn’t help ourselves from ducking into every shop we passed with a Bordallo Pinheiro ceramics display in the window, and admiring all the wonderful pieces. If you can load some into your carry on luggage, by all means DO, because prices are about a third of what you will pay in the US.

Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro (1846-1905) was one of Portugal’s most iconic and beloved artists. Known for his caricature art and humorist drawings, as well as his ceramic creations, he was one of the most influential people of 19th century Portuguese culture. In 1884 Bordallo Pinheiro began producing ceramics at the Fábrica de Faianças in Caldas, where he continued creating a vast range of ceramic art until his death in 1905. The breadth of his ceramic work included tiles, panels, pots, centerpieces, fountain basins, dishes, vases, animals and more. After his death, his son, Manuel Gustavo Bordallo Pinheiro continued his father’s work to keep the ceramic tradition alive. When he passed away, a group of influential people continued the Bordallo Pinheiro tradition at Caldas. After the financial crisis in 2008 the company was purchased by Grupo Visabeira. The company ensures the preservation of the artist’s legacy and production, which still takes place in the factory where he created his ceramics, known today as Faianças Artísticas Bordallo Pinheiro Ltd.

Vista Alegre carries Bordallo Pinheiro ceramics at their shops in Lisbon and Porto

Vista Alegre in Lisbon and Porto The Vista Alegre Porcelain Factory was founded in 1842.

BRING IT HOME

You can purchase in the US online at

Bordallo Pinheiro