The production of archaic maiolica in Montelupo dates back to the second half of the 13th century.

Ceramic manufacturing activities however took off at the beginning of the 1400s following the conquering of Pisa in 1406 when the way to the coast finally opened up to Florence.

Located as they were along the sailable tract of the river Arno, Montelupo potteries could finally reach the sea ports of embarkation of Pisa and Leghorn; their production, technological and artistic development attracted the capitals of the rich and noble families of Florence.

Montelupo's golden age covers a period from approx. 1450 to 1530 during which time Renaissance decorations were developed and elaborated and Montelupo maiolica reached its peak commercial expansion spreading throughout the Mediterranean basin and along the mercantile sea routes of the Atlantic.

From the second half of the 1500s onwards, the ceramics production of Montelupo started to suffer the effects of the general economic crisis and local ceramics manufacturing centres were forced to change type of workmanship and production technology.

After 1630, the year of the great plague, the number of potters reduced considerably and in the second half of the 1600s production suffered a drastic slump, potteries that specialized in a more prestigious production disappeared completely leaving only the potteries that produced kitchen ware and terracotta objects.

Between the end of the 19th and the first years of the 20th century, the production of Montelupo maiolica started again with the great FANCIULLACCI factory.

Today Montelupo Fiorentino is one of the major ceramics production centres in Italy producing raw materials and artistic maiolica for the export market.