Handmade in the Shenandoah Valley

Pottery made by one pair of hands.

Every piece is shaped, glazed, and kiln-fired in porcelain by Cate Ranieri in her home studio in Front Royal, Virginia. No two are alike, and that is the point.

Shop available pieces Commission a piece

From the studio

Porcelain, glaze, fire. Nothing outsourced.

Thrown by hand

Each vessel starts on the wheel in a small home studio, shaped one at a time rather than cast or repeated.

One of a kind

Glazes move differently on every form and every firing. What you take home exists exactly once.

Locally owned

A Front Royal business since 2015, selling at Shenandoah Valley markets and exhibits, including the R Cellars Christmas Market.

Available now

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Every piece is one of a kind. When it sells, it is gone. Local pickup in Front Royal or shipping within the US.

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Selected pieces

Past work

Cate Ranieri Ceramics market table displaying handmade porcelain pottery in Front Royal, Virginia — Market day: the full table, ready for the R Cellars Advent Market

Handmade porcelain crucifix by Cate Ranieri, glazed and kiln-fired — Porcelain crucifix, wrapped as a bridal shower gift straight from the kiln

Sculpted porcelain crucifix in progress in the home studio — First of the crucifix line, sculpted by hand in 2021

Handmade porcelain earrings by Cate Ranieri Ceramics — Porcelain earrings, a Front Royal Valentine favorite

Porcelain pieces in progress in Cate Ranieri's home studio — Back in the studio: work in progress on the bench

Handmade porcelain holy water fonts by Cate Ranieri Ceramics — Holy water fonts, a studio staple

Layered glaze shallow porcelain bowl, kiln-fired — Shallow bowl with layered glaze, straight from the kiln

Hand-carved porcelain candlesticks in progress — Carved candlesticks in progress

Porcelain mugs with hand-pulled handles — Mugs: every handle pulled and attached by hand

Photos from the studio and market table. Follow @cateraniericeramics for kiln openings and market dates.

The potter

About Cate

Cate Ranieri is a ceramic artist working in porcelain from her home studio in Front Royal, Virginia. She began showing and selling in local exhibits, formed Cate Ranieri Ceramics as a Front Royal business in 2015, and has been a fixture at Shenandoah Valley markets ever since.

Her signature work is devotional: crucifixes, crosses, and holy water fonts she has made for years, alongside plates, mugs, candlesticks, earrings, and functional ware. Every piece turns on the character of the porcelain and the way a glaze settles in the kiln. She welcomes commissions and enjoys making pieces shaped around the person who will live with them.

Commissions open

Have a piece made for you.

Available work can be purchased directly or through local retail partners in the Shenandoah Valley. For commissions, current inventory, or stockist questions, reach out and Cate will get back to you.

Email Cate Instagram, @cateraniericeramics