Every little detail – a collection of river rocks, simple pinecones lined up above a wardrobe in the old farmhouse in Bolzano – evokes the sweet imaginative Lene Thun. This house, with its medieval foundations was her home for years. In 1950, she and her husband Otmar founded the Officine Ceramiche Thun to create one of the brand’s icons in the basement of the nearby Castel Klebenstein: the angels with child-like, rounded features that have won over millions of people, giving their creator the nickname “The countess of angels.” Her intuitions were based on dreams, and her affection toward others has today become a company that employs more than 750 people, has more than 1,000 stores worldwide, and has €111 million in turnover. Leading the company is Peter, one of her children, and in 2013 Lene’s grandson Simon Thun was appointed vice president as the third generation of the South Tyrolean brand. Her desk is full of sketches, models and drafts, family photos, and even baby food jars full of paint. “It has remained intact since her death,” says Simon, who welcomed us into his home with Bettina, his wife of a year, standing next to a table decorated with lots of small colored ceramic vases filled with flowers, created or collected by the Countess.
What do you remember of your Grandmother?
“She loved comparing things. She asked us grandchildren, from when we were very young, what we thought of her work. I think she was interested in the spontaneous and authentic reactions of children. I lived downstairs with my family, and she often came down to eat dinner with us. But sometimes she would invite us up with our cousins. The menu was always simple but delicious: a cream with mascarpone, yogurt, grated lemon and cinnamon, or semolina dumplings.
There would be asparagus with Bolzano sauce and Pischinger Torte, a truly delicious chocolate cake that my mom still makes today.”
Is it true that your father inspired her first angel?
“It is. When he was a child, as he slept, his chubby cheeks inspired Valery, the praising angel and one of the icons that have made us famous, like the Teddy bear and the elephant. Lene adored children in general. We named a foundation after her that supports children’s cancer wards in hospitals through ceramic-making therapy. Along with some doctors we have found that you can help soothe children’s pain a little bit through the manipulation and creation of an object.”
How do your creations arise today?
“We have about 20 artists working in a workshop. In the past you needed to get permission to enter. Today, just as in the past, specific styles must be respected for each character: the shape of the mouth, the eyes, the way in which each face looks at you.”
What will the Thun of the future be like?
“The motto is ‘innovation in tradition’. It will definitely be a greener and greener company. Here’s an example: we give each new employee a glass pitcher for the filtered water that we distribute in the company. My job will also be to make Thun even more international: after Europe we are looking overseas, perhaps to the East. Last year we launched business on Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce portal.”
Which piece is your favorite among all your family creations?
“Maybe the Caffe al volo cup, which has a gold wing instead of a handle – gold was my grandmother’s favorite shade – and an inscription made with my mother’s handwriting. Bettina and I chose it for our wedding favors.”
With 84% of its employees being women, Thun is a women’s company.
“Yes, they have something extra. We offer them several benefits: a babysitting service for children aged 4 to 12 years, an international daycare and maternity leave, to help moms in their careers.”
Why do people like your creations so much?
“It’s the message they bring, not the object in itself that has value. That’s why you either love them, or don’t like them at all. Our clients are united by their love for certain values, so much so that we have a club for them with over 150,000 members.”
You have opened four Thun Caffés in a year and a half. Are you considering opening restaurants?
“They’re places designed for those who love our world, where they can pause for a dessert and for some shopping. In the future, yes, there will also be dining. Let’s just say that we’re assessing it.”
How are you at the stove?
"Okay,” she says, laughing, “as long as I don’t have to cook every day. Sometimes we organize a men’s night among friends. In reality it’s a dinner where the men cook for the women present, who taste it all and judge.”
Photos by Jacopo Salvi