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RHO

Till
31 Dec.
2018

The Flight
of ICARO

A big ceramic collection is ex-
hibited for the first time at its
birthplace, the island of Rhodes.
Η μεγάλη συλλογή κεραμικών
παρουσιάζεται για πρώτη φορά στη
γενέτειρά της, το νησί της Ρόδου.
by Dimitris Golegos

Rhodes’ history was always inextricably
linked to ceramic art. As early as the 17th
century, Iznik ceramics from Asia Minor
have adorned the Lindian mansions. These
luxury items were in such abundance
at Rhodes, that were considered as
of “Rhodian” or “Lindian” origin up
to early 20th century. The company
Industria Ceramiche Artistiche Rodio
Orientali (I.C.A.R.O.) was established in
1928, aiming to manufacture genuine
reproductions of the Iznik ceramics.
The Italians, in the context of the
industrialisation and development of the
Dodecanese islands, copied the motifs of
these sought-after ceramics and started the
production. When the Dodecanese were
transferred to Greece, the factory was sold
to the Rhodian entrepreneur Constantinos
D. Hadjiconstantis, and reopened as
“ΙΚΑΡΟΣ” (ICARUS). The artistic
ceramics industry, under both the Italian
and the Greek ownership, had been an
important source of income in the island’s
economy. The factory operated for almost
60 consecutive years, until 1988. Yannos
Th. Ioannidis’ unique collection, the result

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