Geminiano Cozzi was only 23 years old when he left Modena for Venice in 1751, taking with him little more than the essentials: a lively mind, ready to grasp the challenges and opportunities of an ever-changing world.
His entrepreneurial spirit found its home in the Serenissima, a place where the restless waters of the canals reflected the vitality of trade and cultures from every corner of the globe.
His voyage of discovery was only just beginning and already his ventures were flourishing: from trading the Dalmatian coral, to supplying crucibles for the state mint and the tall logs of wood from the Cansiglio forest to build the Venetian navy's warships. For Geminiano, each activity represented a new port to land in, in each of which he displayed an exceptional talent for identifying the most promising opportunities. Within fifteen years, this journey led him to his most precious treasure: the creation of the Manufacture for the production of fine porcelain objects.
From the very beginning, Geminiano Cozzi's Manufacture was distinguished by the craftsmanship with which its porcelain was created, far surpassing that of its competitors, which earned it immediate international prestige. This extraordinary achievement was largely attributable to the discovery and purchase of some quarries in Tretto, near Vicenza, which provided a very white kaolin of exceptional quality. Unlike the famous kaolin of Limoges, the one used by Cozzi was incredibly pure and free of any grey shade, which gave his porcelain an unrivalled luminosity and brilliance. But what made the Manufacture truly unique was the refinement of its designs and the incredible skill of its decorators, who were often the object of contention and bureaucratic stratagems to wrest them away from other manufactures.
Also exceptional was the continuous search for innovative decorative motifs, which anticipated far later compositional and artistic ideas. Each piece was a work of art destined to radiate fascination through the centuries. Geminiano Cozzi's collections, marked by the still blazing red iron anchro and only in rare cases enriched with gold for productions destined for the Doges, continue to excite and transport the public to a glorious past. Even today, they still evoke the artistic atmosphere of Tiepolo's frescoes, Canaletto's evocative views and Guardi's breathtaking landscapes: together with Cozzi, all masters of Venetian painting at that time.
The year 1797 marked the end of the Venetian Republic, the beating heart of an era of glory, independence and freedom that had shone for eleven whole centuries, by the hands of Napoleone Bonaparte. It was the twilight of a golden era. And as the ancient world faded away, Geminiano Cozzi, protagonist of the artistic renaissance of Venice, also died, leaving his Manufacture in the hands of his brother Vincenzo.
The red anchor brand had to close its doors in year 1812, but that did not mean that its memory was erased. His porcelain continued and continues to enchant tables and museums around the world, while passionate collectors sought and still seek it out at auctions, from Sotheby's to Christies to Pandolfini, eager to possess a fragment of that magical cultural heritage and display it proudly.
More than two hundred years after the closure of Manifattura Cozzi, something extraordinary happens. Venetian entrepreneur Antonio Tognana, known to his friends as Tonino, driven by a bold vision, decides to bring the beauty and refinement of Cozzi porcelain back to life, recognising its timeless value. Many years earlier, Tonino Tognana had already acquired the 'Geminiano Cozzi - Venezia 1765' brand, with its precious historical archive: a treasure chest of knowledge and art that holds shapes, designs and ancient production 'recipes'. An invaluable resource for those who wish to preserve and renew the tradition. With a long experience in the sector, Tonino Tognana stands out for his far-sighted vision and the savoir-faire inherited from generations of manufacturers, first of bricks and tiles and then of tableware. But he decided to follow in Geminiano Cozzi's visionary footsteps by using a material that is lighter and more durable than porcelain: the Fine Bone China (Fine Bone Porcelain).
Thanks to its special composition - a mixture of kaolin, feldspar and bone ash - it is distinguished by its incomparable translucence and durability. This perfect combination of elegance and durability anchors the art of tableware to unforgettable standards of beauty. The occasion to announce this rebirth presents itself in 2015, on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the Manufacture. As is done to pay homage to great artists, the exhibition 'Geminiano Cozzi and his porcelain' is set up in the beautiful setting of Ca' Rezzonico in Venice. This event not only marks the beginning of an ambitious project to restore the Cozzi Manufacture in Venice, but also to rediscover and enhance the ancient Venetian artistic tradition of porcelain.
Our history is steeped in collaborations with artists, artisans and master decorators. This, like a beacon, has led us to new horizons in the world of tableware, where art and design come together in unprecedented synergy. We began to collaborate with young international talents selected for their unique backgrounds, cultural influences and creative visions that are reflected in their works and enrich our artistic heritage, now also at the table. The year 2020 saw the launch of the Ethnics collection, designed by Gianpietro Mastro, who has masterfully reinterpreted an iconic object of our Manufacture: the Ice cooler vase or “Vaso da Giacio”. For more than 250 years, its role has been to keep fruit or fish fresh thanks to a cavity filled with ice, or to elegantly adorn the tables of the time. Now it acquires a new cultural significance: from a simple practical tool, it is transformed into a work of art capable of telling stories, arousing emotions and stimulating deep conversations.
In fact, Mastro has chosen to cover this object with six ethnic masks, proposing an ideal tour of the world that starts in the USA, passes through Egypt, South Africa and arrives as far as Japan. Each mask, rooted in Venetian culture and a symbol of Carnival and theatrical tradition, gives the “Rinfrescatoio” a new international spirit, rich in history and meaning. Mastro invites us to reflect on how everyday objects can evolve and take on new roles in the modern context. Made of fine porcelain, the Ethnics collection won the International Awards of Excellence 2020, confirming our commitment to blending tradition and innovation.
Our collaboration with young international talent is further strengthened: Geminiano Cozzi 1765 meets the street art of London-based Endless, the first street artist to be welcomed into the new section dedicated to contemporary art at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. His majestic mural, created on our corporate walls, demonstrates a tangible fusion of manufacturing and artistic expression. This work is a true statement of intent: we want art to be an integral part of our identity, visible to everyone, from staff to visitors to the local community. A hallmark that embodies our commitment to living and breathing art, both inside and outside our spaces. But the collaboration with Endless does not stop at the walls: famous for his provocative and radical creations, the artist has created a limited-edition table collection that stimulates deep reflection on the modern dynamics and canons of culture and beauty. His works, which ironically desecrate symbols of the fashion system such as Karl Lagerfeld and Kate Moss, meet porcelain: transposed onto plates, cups and other tableware, they give rise to unique collectibles that combine contemporary art and tradition.
These modern religious emblems of society offer art lovers a unique experience in which the artist's rock soul is expressed with power and authenticity. Our company thus continues to explore the potential of the table as a vehicle for communication and conversation, solidifying our connection with the contemporary art world.
The relationship with Endless marks a year of profound significance. After the creation of the mural, the city of Treviso welcomes Endless with an unforgettable and provocative exhibition hosted in the historic Ca' Robegan mansion, which then extends to the walls of the city itself. Endless chooses to dedicate his brilliant creativity to a timeless icon: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. With deep admiration and sincere devotion, he brings to life the "Lizzy Vuitton" collection. This work not only celebrates the royalty and elegance of the Queen, but also reflects on contemporary cultural dynamics and the persistence of royal iconography in modern society. The exhibition deeply explores the dialogue between tradition and innovation through Endless's works, transforming urban space into a stage for art and critical thinking. For the exhibition, Geminiano Cozzi 1765 and Endless decide to write a new chapter in their shared history: porcelain is and will be molded into 99 different busts of Queen Elizabeth II, for the artist the ultimate global style icon.
Each bust features her face partially concealed by a mask, an eloquent symbol of the difficult period marked by the Covid-19 pandemic: each tells a piece of the Queen's life, adding a personal and deeply meaningful touch to each sculpture. Endless's busts invite us to reflect not only on the greatness of the Queen, but also on human resilience in the face of global challenges: they are a bridge between past and present, linking history with contemporary experiences in an emotional and universal dialogue through art.
Thanks to his long experience and profound knowledge of porcelain, developed since childhood, Tonino Tognana designs two extraordinary new shapes, Burano and Arena, destined not only to enrich the table scene but also to represent his passion and dedication for the art of porcelain.
He then decided to further strengthen the in-house creative team he leads with the entry of new professionals and collaborators who specialize in experimenting with new shapes, decorations and innovative techniques to explore new boundaries of traditional craftsmanship. Because for Geminiano Cozzi 1765, research and development have always been engines of growth and excellence.
A commitment that continues to define the future of Geminiamo Cozzi 1765: new developments are on the horizon that promise to leave an indelible mark on the porcelain industry.
The journey continues...
