The “Cocce”. The rediscovery of ceramics in the Piceno area between formal peculiarities and territorial identities

The production of ceramics in the center-south of the Marche region, in the area known as Piceno, has its roots in a tradition of ancient origins, a transfer of knowledge that has kept artisan knowledge alive for centuries. A history that was slowly interrupted starting from the middle of the last century, with the advent of cheaper plastic and metal productions. The appellative Le Cocce defines in slang the wide ceramic production, linked to the different scenarios of use that range from cooking and preserving food to personal hygiene. In the internal areas of the Piceno territory, a district of municipalities such as Massignano, Montottone and Ripatransone, is distinguished by the presence and historical continuity of artisan workshops. The competition among artisans to find the most valuable clay, the slimmest profile or the characterization through recurring elements such as beaks and handles, has led over time to the refinement of these products of popular use. The closure of workshops and furnaces has contributed to the crisis and depopulation of these areas, participating in the loss of an element of identity and aggregation for local communities. The research initiated by the School of Architecture and Design of the University of Camerino with the project Le Cocce began a process of surveying and cataloguing ceramic artifacts, highlighting the relationships between the various artisan workshops. This work aimed to investigate the material and immaterial heritage of this tradition, as a historical and design reference for future experimentation.