Vases, plates, bowls, flasks, and jugs in majolica — traditional types with relief motifs, embellished with brightly colored glazes and decorations in line with the period’s primitivist trends — are early proof of his formal investigation that moved in a sculptural direction.

His first official accolade as an artist came in 1953 when he won the Faenza Prize in the 11th National Ceramic Competition.

He later took part in many national and international exhibitions and won many prizes. While continuing to make majolica pieces, in the later 1950s he started his technological work in stoneware and high-temperature coating, a precursor to “Zauli white.” In this period he formed important artistic and personal relationships with Albert Diato, Nanni Valentini and Giuseppe Spagnulo, as well as Giò Pomodoro and Lucio Fontana.

In 1958 he started his teaching career as the chair of Practical Technology at the renowned Art Institute for Ceramics in Faenza.