From past to present, ceramics reinterpret their own history
Craftsmanship and ancient graphic elements are given new life in the “1741 by Marca Corona” line
Thanks to their technical performance and nearly endless expressive potential, ceramics have historically been among the most popular raw materials for construction, characterizing interior design projects of both public and private spaces alike. Among the stars of Made in Italy production, the district of Sassuolo has provided an important contribution to the development of artisanal workmanship and production technologies that have molded the material, exploring its versatility and showcasing its various facets. For nearly three centuries, Marca Corona has accompanied this evolution, pursuing the highest level of care for the product, the authenticity of the raw material and a great decorative and artistic wealth. The originality and capacity to capture the tastes of the public, together with the use of prized materials and innovative production techniques have allowed the company to continue on a long path of success crossing trends and historical events. Here, savoir-faire is intertwined with a deep connection to tradition, establishing its very foundations.
From a reinterpretation of the company’s heritage comes the “1741 by Marca Corona” line, which embraces the recovery of materials, workmanship and graphics of the past under a contemporary key, creating a continuous link between memory and innovation. The project was born to usher tradition into the contemporary world: colors and shapes are taken up and reinterpreted to make them current and therefore applicable in modern contexts that range from more nostalgic leanings to decidedly minimalist situations. The line is articulated in various collections, connected by a red thread of classical patterns revisited and articulated in small sizes giving life to unique and trendy geometric and decorative compositions.
Terracreta, eclectic by nature
The naturalness of a raw material like clay meets the expertise and craftsmanship of Italian ceramics in the Terracreta collection. Harnessing the most advanced technological skills developed over the years, along with a strong artisanal sensibility, the surfaces feature a raised and irregular edge typical of materials resulting from manual working processes, giving them the imperfect charm of the handmade.
The collection’s basic backgrounds are available in two small sizes, the 20x20 square and 25x21.6 hexagon, and can be applied to both walls and floors. The color palette includes natural tones recalling the colors typical of clay (Marna, Argilla, Chamotte), which are added to the refined Oltremare, a trendy color bringing a touch of vibrancy to the whole. The natural and essential charm of these backgrounds is enhanced by characteristic calcite details and grit decorations with a highly textural character.
Terracreta is a simple yet extremely rich collection. Its decorative framework is developed through three actions — including, shaping and embellishing — which can replicate the visual effect of glass powder grit inclusions, the plastic appeal of the modeled material, and the picturesque preciousness of the majolica effect. Three visual patterns conceived to be paired and combined together in a completely natural and personal way, underscoring the material’s charm.
Clay is combined with glass powder grit in a two-way game inspired by the ancient artisanal technique of inlay in the geometric and floral patterns of Cesello and Intarsio, available in the hexagonal size and in the colors Argilla and Chamotte. Thanks to unique technological modifications and the use of a rich and full-bodied material, it’s possible to lay this particular type of pattern “with grit” not only on walls, but also on floors, ensuring great slip resistance.
The natural material, molded and modeled by hand, materializes in the three-dimensional patterns of Rilievo, marked by perpendicular strokes, and Forma, featuring a succession of arches where delicate plays of light animate surfaces. Forma Vitrea is the third variant, further enriched with the application of a glass paste on its ridges. Using these, it’s possible to create a wide variety of wall compositions characterizing the partitions that divide spaces, including, for example, niches, corners and corridors.
On the Rilievo background, the decorations of Lacca make walls a key feature thanks to deep and vibrant luminous reflections, complete with unrepeatable effects in each individual piece. To achieve this, metallic glazes placed on the base are added to the applications of grit reagents, restoring the effect of a natural shading with an evocative, artisanal flair. The ceramic material therefore expresses all of its expressive potential and technical performance.
To enrich the appearance of walls, a hexagonal size in colors Marna and Chamotte presents the Dipinto pattern with an intense majolica effect achieved through the application of a precious glass paste that adds thickness and shine to the surface. The contrast between the glossiness of the applied material and the opacity of the background, and the pattern design contrasting with the neutral base, vibrates with great expressive power.
Multiforme 1741, for brilliant surfaces
The world of resins and concretes is translated into a super glossy material in the Multiforme 1741 collection, created with glass powder grit to lend a realistic texture and shine to surfaces. 3 different technologies, 8 sizes and 21 colors are mixed in infinite new expressive possibilities through original and unexpected combinations for a total-look decoration. Thanks to original connections between craftsmanship and design innovation, a material with a neutral and timeless character is transformed into a set of heterogenous elements with which to characterize contemporary spaces.
The variety of sizes, which begin from compact strips to arrive at much larger slabs (also for outdoor use), is combined with color palettes created through three different technologies co-existing in Multiforme, studied to mix harmoniously with one another. Then there are the material effects, which range from a delicate, lustrous effect for a look that’s decidedly similar to the authentic beton brut, to the more irregular Inciso texture, dedicated to those who love bold contrasts.
Terra.Art, creative colors creativi for modern cement tiles
Faithful in size but revolutionary in style, Terra.Art pays tribute to one of Marca Corona’s most beloved collections. Seven fresh and expressive shades shine a new light on the most characteristic decorations of the original cement tiles, articulated now in a series of floors and wall coverings in porcelain stoneware to reinvent domestic and commercial interiors, creating striking vintage-chic atmospheres.
For the Terra.art collection, in addition to solid colors, six different graphic decorations were developed to be laid as a single subject or in a lively mix, multiplying the expressive possibilities available to architects and interior designers. The performance of porcelain stoneware in terms of strength, safety and hygiene is therefore combined with the laying versatility of small size tiles to support a contemporary design, also thanks to the ease in creating combinations with other Marca Corona collections, from the most authentic floors in a wood or stone effect to elegant colored wall tiles.
Special thanks to ElleDecor Italia
