The Joy of the Table!

Ivo Angel: Ceramics, Craft, and the Joy of the Table

Sometimes you stumble upon a discovery that is both beautiful and deeply inspiring — not just for what it looks like, but for the story and people behind it. That was our experience with Ivo Angel, the ceramics brand founded by Jennifer Perez in Cortona. We first connected while preparing the Plinius x The Maptique event, Tutti a Tavolatta, an autumn lunch at Podere Invidia. The tableware from Ivo Angel quietly became the star: thoughtful, elegant, and unmistakably handcrafted, perfectly complementing the seasonal menu and wonderful company.

We fell in love at first glance with the designs: simple, elegant, rooted in tradition yet modern in their sensibility. But what makes Ivo Angel truly captivating is not just the objects themselves; it’s the people, the heritage, and the philosophy behind them. Each piece carries the touch of skilled artisans, many of whom have been shaping clay since childhood, inheriting centuries of Tuscan and Umbrian craft traditions.

Jennifer’s story is inseparable from the brand. A Canadian artist with Mediterranean roots, she arrived in Tuscany more than a decade ago and immediately fell under the spell of the landscape, the colours, and the people. Cortona’s artisans became her collaborators and her inspiration. “These artisans did not become artisans; they were born artisans,” she says. “They live and breathe their work, often continuing practices passed down through generations.”

Her ceramics reflect that history and the family rituals she grew up with. Jennifer remembers her Italian grandmother’s kitchen — the open door, the smell of baked goods and simmering pasta sauce, the perfectly shaped bowls for every dish. She carries that memory into each design, creating tableware meant to be used, cherished, and shared around the table.

Each collection draws on the textures, colors, and patterns of historic Tuscan and Umbrian ceramics, reimagined with a contemporary twist. From Deruta to Cortona, the workshops where Ivo Angel pieces are made are filled with stories: potters who learned at their father’s side, artisans who cannot imagine retirement, families who live above their studios and take midday meals together. It is a way of life as much as a craft.

For Plinius, discovering Ivo Angel was a perfect alignment. The brand embodies the slow-life ethos we value: celebrating small, independent makers, honoring heritage, and elevating everyday rituals into moments of joy. It’s not about mass production or glossy perfection, but about objects with character, care, and meaning.

Tutti a Tavolatta captured that philosophy perfectly. Around the table, every piece became part of the conversation, every bowl and plate a reminder that craft and care matter. Guests didn’t just eat from the ceramics — they experienced them. And that is exactly what Jennifer hopes for her creations: “I believe the table is a sacred space. It’s where stories are shared, ideas exchanged, and life celebrated. My hope is that these pieces become part of your story, too.”

In every Ivo Angel bowl, cup, or platter, you find more than beauty; you find a connection — to the artisan, to the traditions of Tuscany, and to the moments in life that are best savoured slowly, around a table with good food, good conversation, and a little bit of art.

Disclaimer: All products featured on Plinius are independently selected by us. We do not receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links

Photo credits: Victoria Huisman.