Descendant of a family of ceramists, Zulimo Aretini, born in Monte San Savino in the province of Arezzo in 1884, did his apprenticeship at the family kiln in Borgo Fonte, where he learned the secrets of the graffito decoration, or scratch, typical of ceramics. Umbrian-Arezzo of the sixteenth century and which he interprets in an absolutely modern and original way.
He subsequently completed his studies in Florence and Milan, at the Brera Academy.
Active at the "Fornaci di San Lorenzo" factory of Galileo Chini in 1909 and later at the "Richard-Ginori" of Sesto Fiorentino and some other factories in Sesto including "Colonnata", "Carraresi" and "SACA".
In 1914 he presented some ceramics produced in the family factory, "Federigo Aretini & Figli", at the Castiglion Fiorentino Exhibition.
In 1918 he opened a small factory on his own, called "Antica Bottega del Ceramista Aretini Zulimo" and among the collaborators of the factory he also included the young Savinese Giotto Giannoni.
Since 1920 he has also dedicated himself to teaching ceramic and decorative techniques.
In 1925 he opened a shop in Arezzo and later in Fontevegge, in the province of Perugia, where he founded the "Società Anonima Maioliche Zulimo Aretini".
During the twenties he participated in numerous exhibitions (Pesaro, Turin, Livorno and Florence) enjoying success with the public and critics.
In these years the grottagliese ceramist Biagio Lista collaborated with the company.
Leaving the Fontevegge factory, he opened a small ceramic factory in Deruta which, in 1929, became part of the "Consorzio Italiano Maioliche Artistiche" ("CIMA") wanted and directed by Biagio Biagiotti, also collaborating with the "Salamandra".
In 1939 Aretini left Deruta and moved to Torgiano where he founded the "Aretini Ceramiche" ceramic factory, assisted by his son Galileo and Guido Carnesecchi.
In 1945 together with Bruno Papi and Alfredo Arrighetti he founded the "ARS" factory,
In 1950 he founded, in Cameri near Novara, the ceramic factory "CASA", then he moved to Groppello Cairoli, in the province of Pavia, where he founded the "Aretini Zulimo & Clavio" and subsequently, moving to Casteggio, in the province of Pavia, he founded the "Florentine Ceramics".
During his career as a ceramist he participated in the Monza Biennials and in various editions of the Milan Triennale.
In 1961 Zulimo Aretini moved to Rome where he died in 1965.