Mac Makes Pots, Rome: mirrors framed in maiolica with lemons and oranges

Glazed terracotta tiles, glossy, covered in lemons, oranges, blossoms and foliage, assembled as a frame around a mirror. Maiolica as you see it in Italian palazzi, but made today, by hand, in a Rome studio.

Who she is

Mackenzie McDonald is a ceramicist and art historian based in Rome, and exhibits internationally. A master's in art history from John Cabot University in Rome, a bachelor's in fine arts from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. Her studio practice and her research are about the same thing: historical maiolica, and what can still be done with it.

The Orto Botanico collection

Hand-built terracotta mirrors and vases whose glossy glazes revisit decorative traditions with a contemporary eye. The Specchio, round, 50 cm, framed in tiles with lemons, oranges and blossoms, €1,700. The Specchio al Limone and the Specchio al Arancia, arched, 75 by 50 cm, €2,100 each, inspired by Italian Renaissance arches. And the Vaso, a sculptural vase with floral details topped by a butterfly with nichrome wire antennae, €600, three available.

What to know

Everything is handmade and meant for indoors. Slight variations are part of the work. Shipping €85 from Rome, free pickup there.

Why she is in drop 001

Because from the very first drop we wanted a piece that carries a whole tradition without copying it. Mac Makes Pots is one of the six studios in the first Beyit drop, opened on 1 October.

Mac Makes Pots' pieces are on Beyit, from €600 to €2,100, shipped from Rome. See the studio and its pieces.