Ortigia is one of those brands people recognise from across a room, thanks to its bold patterns and bright packaging. This guide covers the soaps, fragrance, ceramics and trays in the range, and finishes with the gifts we recommend most often.
About Ortigia Sicilia
Ortigia is a small Italian homeware and soap company, founded in Sicily in 2006. The island runs through everything it makes, from scents inspired by Sicilian plants to sea salts made from pure Sicilian salt. Its look is just as distinctive: leopards, tigers, giraffes, elephants and dragonflies in strong colours, with some pieces finished in gold serigraphy.
Soaps and bath products
Soap is where most people start with Ortigia. The Fico d'India Olive Oil Soap Small Box holds four olive oil soaps in a decorative gift box, perfumed with the fresh scent of fig and cedar, inspired by Sicily's cactus plants. It is one of the easiest presents in the shop.
For something warmer, the Flying Tiger Assorted Soaps bring together four 25g olive oil soaps in a sliding box, including Ambra Nera, a rich mix of resin and spice woods over amber, and Bergamotto, which is distinctly Sicilian, green and strong. The Glycerine Soap Set of 4 is different again: translucent, naturally coloured bars generously perfumed with musky amber.
Beyond the bar, there is a liquid soap in a glass bottle enriched with olive oil, and the Hand Cream 80ml, made with olive oil, almond oil, beeswax, lanolin, jojoba and aloe. It is a good one to keep by the kitchen sink if frequent washing leaves your hands dry. For the bath, the salts are made in Italy from pure Sicilian sea salt, in a 500g size or a single-use 75g envelope.
Fragrance for you and your home
Ortigia's perfume is made as a daily reminder of Sicily. The Eau de Parfum 30ml is a handy size for a handbag or for trying a scent for the first time, and there is a 100ml bottle once you have found your favourite.
For the home, the Ortigia Diffuser 200ml comes in a signature bottle with natural reeds that draw up the perfumed liquid, so the scent unfolds gradually. Scents include Fico d'India. A diffuser is a good choice for a hallway or a cloakroom, where you want a steady background fragrance without having to remember to light anything.
If you do prefer a flame, the Decorated Candle sits in an artisan-patterned glass vessel, weighs 150g and burns for 30 to 35 hours.
Ceramics, glass plates and trays
The homeware is where Ortigia's patterns really shine. The Gattopardo Ceramic Bowl is hand decorated with leopards and gold serigraphy, and the Ceramic Jug shares the same gold detailing. Both come in a striking patterned gift box, which saves on wrapping.
The glass plates are printed with Ortigia's designs and are wonderfully versatile: use them for trinkets, rings, a bar of soap or a few sweets. The Carretto Tin & 5 Glass Plates Gift Set includes the Bergamotto, Carretto, Zagara, Green Gattopardo and Fishy designs, while the Flying Tiger tin holds three jungle-inspired plates with camels, zebras and tigers.
The trays are handmade. The Dragonflies Rectangular Tray is a handcrafted lacquer tray with a vibrant dragonfly pattern, made for serving tea, drinks or dolce. Lay one on an ottoman or a sideboard to corral remotes, candles and post, and it becomes part of the decoration rather than clutter. See the full range of Ortigia trays for more patterns.
Ortigia gift ideas
- For someone who travels: the Handbag Gift Set is a brightly coloured bag with a leopard-print interior, holding miniature Ortigia products including a soap, shower gel and body cream.
- A small thank-you: the Glass Plate & Soap pairs a 25g bar with a printed glass plate.
- A housewarming: a diffuser and a tray together make a generous gift that will be used every day.
- For a host: a Gattopardo bowl filled with olives or sweets at the table, then left behind as a keepsake.
- Stocking fillers: soap in a tin, a bath salts envelope or the hand cream.
Shop Ortigia
Browse the whole Ortigia collection to see every scent and pattern. If you are putting together a gift and want help choosing, visit us at the shop in Somerset or contact the team for advice.
