The tradition of the stove in  Castellamonte The first stoves in terracotta (fired clay ) are dated back to the XVI century, but documents and remains could not be found. Nevertheless, some monumental stoves and beautiful fireplaces can still be admired in the Canavese Castles (Agliè, Masino, Rivarolo, Ozegna).
	At the end of XVIII century the “franklin” style made its appearance in Castellamonte, besides plain stoves, which will have great success and will give much fame to the local ceramics. The first ventilation fireplace in terracotta with visible fire seems to have been built by the Reassos old dinasty of craftsman settled in the heart of S.Rocco district for centuries. It was tought following the research of the famous north American scientist and politicalman Beniamino Franklin, from whom it took its name but, most probably the local designer was the Abbott Don Andrea Cassano, model educator, revolutionist and a very good school teacher.
	The XIX century marks the triumph of the classic Castellamonte stove which becomes more precious with elaborate decorations,colour full with vivid enamelled paintings and a real and precious piece of forniture. The very good thermal efficiency, the easy feeding (at that time wood was cheap and easy to be found ) the not expensive prices led to a wide diffusion not only in Piedmont but in other districts also. The most important companies, Pagliero, Galeazzo, Stella and overall Buscaglione, take part in the biggest exibitions, got prices and organise a wide and important market range.
	Some model of stove, perhaps required by emigrants who could make a fortune, pass the border, to France, Switzerland and Argentina too. It seems that a number of monumental stoves were exibited in Russia, in S.Peterbourg. A precious and maybe unique collection of valuable pieces” is kept with great care in the beautiful house, museum of the Allaria family, ceramists for centuries and some good pieces can be still found in some old mansions in Castellamonte. In the XX century, the diffusion of central heating has as a consequence the decline in the production of stoves in terracotta. One remembers the stoves in the last world war in the houses and schools to mitigate the coldness of those terrible days. After 1950 the stove in terracotta does not exist anymore. The few factories which still were working Pagliero, Rolando, Pollino, produce only brickes and the local craftman can be count on the fingers hand. In 1957, the old and glorious stove appears again to heat and furnish our houses due to the courage and enterprising of Mr. Savio Elio, great local craftsman who believes in the power of the wood stove and in the old and magic art of “Ceramista stufaro”.

Ceramiche Savio s.a.s. di Savio Massimo
Strada Preie 35/A
10010 TORRE CANAVESE (TO)
ITALY
Tel. +39.0124.513788
Fax +39.0124.581155