Ginori: A Gift Guide to Florentine Porcelain Since 1735

The house was founded in 1735 by Marchese Carlo Ginori at Doccia, in Sesto Fiorentino just outside Florence. It was among the earliest porcelain manufactories in Italy, and the Florentine setting still shapes its character: classical forms, a bright white body and decoration that draws on Tuscan art and gardens.

Over nearly three centuries the manufactory has moved between eras without losing its craft base. The architect Gio Ponti served as artistic director in the 1920s, bringing a playful, architectural sensibility that collectors still prize. Today the house balances archive shapes with contemporary patterns, which is why a single Ginori piece can sit comfortably in both a traditional dining room and a pared-back modern kitchen.

A few collections define the house for most gift buyers:

• Antico Doccia: a shape taken from the early manufactory, with gently fluted edges. It is the base for many patterns and works well as plain white.
• Granduca: an ornate, historic shape, often paired with Coreana-style decoration of birds, flowers and foliage in soft colour.
• Oriente Italiano: probably the most recognisable modern Ginori pattern, a dense, ornamental motif printed in a single bold colour such as blue, green or pink. Pieces in different colourways are designed to be mixed.
• Il Viaggio di Nettuno: a contemporary line with subtle relief detailing inspired by the sea, mostly in white.

Beyond the table, the house also makes vases, trinket trays and home fragrance in porcelain vessels. For a closer look at plates, cups and serving pieces, see our Ginori tableware guide.

A first piece should feel complete on its own rather than like the start of a set the recipient now has to finish. Good starting points:

1. A pair of mugs or espresso cups in Oriente Italiano. Used daily, easy to display, and the two colourways can differ.
2. A trinket tray or small bowl. Suits a dressing table, a desk or an entrance hall, and needs no matching service.
3. A single vase. A thoughtful choice for someone who has just moved home.
4. A serving platter. Ideal for a host who entertains often, whether at a long Sunday lunch or a summer braai with friends.

For couples, porcelain makes a natural fit for anniversary gifts, and a pair of matching pieces carries the right symbolism. If you are considering a full service, ask about the recipient's existing table first: Ginori pairs well with plain white porcelain, so a few patterned pieces can transform what they already own.

Price is shaped mostly by the size of the piece, the complexity of its decoration and the use of precious-metal detail. A cup or small tray sits at the accessible end of the house, while large platters, gold-trimmed shapes and hand-painted pieces cost considerably more. Full place settings multiply quickly, so it helps to decide whether you are buying an object or contributing to a collection.

For teams and clients, small porcelain pieces travel well as corporate gifts because they suit any home and carry no awkward sizing. If you would like to compare Ginori with other houses, our wider luxury tableware guide sets out the alternatives. And if you have a particular pattern or budget in mind, tell us below and we will come back with options.

Care. Many white and printed Ginori pieces are made for everyday use, but follow the care guidance for the specific item. Pieces with gold or platinum detailing should generally be washed by hand with a mild detergent and kept out of the microwave. Stack plates with a soft separator to protect glaze and rims.

Authenticity. Genuine Ginori porcelain carries a backstamp on the underside showing the house name. Check that the stamp is crisp and properly fired into the glaze, that printed patterns align cleanly at the edges and that the white body is even and translucent when held to light. Be cautious of prices far below what similar pieces usually cost and of sellers who cannot describe where a piece came from. When buying older or archive pieces, a specialist's opinion is worth seeking.