About us

Original made to design solutions for architecture and interior design in polychrome terracotta and cocciopesto.

It is the speciality of Tarsie, a reference company in Reggio Emilia founded by the artist Giuliano Melioli for those who are interested in furnishings and handcrafed, ever-lasting elements of high-artistic value, with a unique design. An ancient technique and new creativities, a versatile and flexible material, an entirely handcrafted work: the creations by Tarsie are unique elements able to transform a dream or project into reality.

Decorations for private houses and public spaces, installations in companies and congress halls, restyling of ancient buildings and historical mansions are some of the works realised in over thirty years by Melioli through the versatility of terracotta and cocciopesto and a never-ending creativity. From small interventions to large projects these extraordinary materials allow the creation of new and harmonic solutions for each type of architecture: from floors to bathroom, salons and kitchens, from borders to doors- and window-frames and to fire-places, pools, artistic panels, mirrors, frameworks, stairs and objects of every possible shape or dimension.

Since 1987, Tarsie is specialised in handcrafting polychrome terracotta and researching inlay techniques. Its products are realised using an exclusive marquetry technique of polychrome kiln-welded terracotta, patented by Giuliano Melioli, designer of the company and inventor of this working technique for resistent, ever-lasting terracotta products.

From the experience of Tarsie, some years later many innovative solutions of interior design and architecture were created revisiting the antique cocciopesto technique. The “coccio” (crushed terracotta), finely or coarsely grinded and mixed with binders and inerts allows the creation of artifacts of different types and dimensions. This technique was used in Roman Epoque as a base for floors in patrician houses and for wall- and ceiling-coating of thermal baths. Tarsie proposes this technique in a personal way, both because of the polychrome mixture and the unique inlay working process, which ensures original and unique design solutions. 

From the experiences of this artistic excellence, decorations, coatings and objects of Terracotta, ceramic and cocciopesto have been created and furnishing solutions are designed for an endless variety of applications and contexts, also created in collaboration with external architects and designers. Each production phase, such as shaping the ware, inlaying, scoring, wax-treating and glazing are handcrafted by specialised artisans. The absolute protagonist of each creation is timeless Beauty.

From Giuliano Melioli artistic career and through the 30-year activity of TARSIE, were created collections of tables, basins, vases, objects and sculptures and furnishing elements, made of cocciopesto  and polychrome inlaid terracotta, perfect for classic and modern spaces. The most important peculiarity which at present identifies Tarsie is the research of materials and design. With its soft and sensual surfaces, the inserts of terracotta and metal, the carved decorations and the fascination of thickness craquelé obtained with restoration techniques, each object combines artistic tradition and artisanship. Alongside these collections, exclusive projects of floors, coatings and unique pieces of Raku ceramic are presented.