The Laveno International Museum of Ceramic Design, housed in the 16th century Palazzo Perabò, was founded in 1971. It displays an extensive collection of ceramic art.
The collection comprises works from the Italian ceramic companies of Richard-Ginori, Scotti-Meregalli, to Franco Ravelli and other private donors. The works on show date from the mid-19th century to the present day, and were all produced in Laveno or in another part of Lombardy. Among the contemporary designers whose work is on display are Giò Ponti, Guido Andlovitz and Antonia Campi.
The works include finely decorated vases, umbrella stands, plates and tableware, as well as some pieces in Art Nouveau style. Palazzo Perabò is itself worth a visit, with its walls embellished by ceramic sculptures and panels by well-known artists like Biancini, Melandri and Gariboldi.
During the year the Museum is a venue for international art exhibitions and events which also include music and literature. The Museum runs art workshops for nursery- and elementary-school children, or for anyone interested in discovering the creative world of ceramics.