Ulisse Cantagalli

Ulisse Cantagalli (1839-1901) was an Italian ceramicist known for his work in the Tuscan town of Florence. He founded the Cantagalli ceramics factory, which became famous for producing majolica ceramics in the Renaissance style.
 
Cantagalli was born in Florence and was trained in the family business of making pottery. He eventually founded his own ceramics factory in 1878, which quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality ceramics that revived the traditional techniques and designs of Renaissance majolica. His pieces were often decorated with intricate patterns and designs inspired by Italian art and architecture.
 
Cantagalli's ceramics were exhibited at international exhibitions, including the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris, where he was awarded a gold medal for his work. His pieces were also collected by many prominent figures of the time, including Queen Victoria and William Morris.
 
Today, Cantagalli's ceramics are highly sought after by collectors and are held in many museum collections around the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.