Are these colours original or repainted?
ri-di-PIN-ti — four syllables; stress on the third. 'Ridipinti' = repainted (ri- prefix = again; dipinti = painted).
Use this when examining coloured ceramics, painted furniture, or any polychrome antique. Repainting or retouching changes authenticity and value.
'Originali' (original) vs 'ridipinti' (repainted). For Italian majolica (maiolica), the glazed decoration is fired at high temperature and should not be repainted. UV light (lampada di Wood) is used by experts to detect later additions — original glazes fluoresce differently from modern paints.
Come si capisce se è stato ridipinto?
How can you tell if it's been repainted?
Asking for the method — shows expertise and interest
Ha una lampada di Wood?
Do you have a UV lamp?
UV (Wood lamp) reveals restorations on ceramics and paintings
Questo smalto è integro?
Is this glaze intact?
Chipped or missing glaze (smalto) reduces value of majolica pieces
Deruta (Umbria), Faenza (Emilia-Romagna), Montelupo Fiorentino (Tuscany), and Caltagirone (Sicily) are Italy's four great majolica centres, each with distinctive patterns. Deruta is known for lustrous metallic glazes; Faenza for elegant blue and white designs; Caltagirone for vivid Baroque colours. Genuine pieces from the 16th–18th centuries are significant historical artefacts.