Sicilian Ceramic Vase "Testa Siciliana", Handmade in Taormina Sicily, 2017

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About the Item

Typical and beautiful ceramic vase completely handmade in Sicily; the famous "Testa Siciliana" that tell the story of the Testa di Moro: never betray a Sicilian! "La Testa di Moro is a characteristic object of the Sicilian tradition. This is a hand painted ceramic vase used as an ornament depicting the face of a Moor and sometimes a young woman of good looks. An ancient legend tells that around the year 1100, during the period of the domination of the Moors in Sicily, in the district Kalsa of Palermo, lived "a beautiful girl with pink skin comparable to peach blossoms at the height of flowering and a nice pair of eyes that seemed to reflect the beautiful Gulf of Palermo ". The girl was almost always at home, and spent her days taking care of the plants on her balcony. One day a young Moro found himself passing by, as soon as he saw her, he immediately fell in love with her and decided to have her at all costs. Then without delay he entered the girl's house and immediately declared her love. The girl, struck by such ardor, returned the love of the young Moro, but soon her happiness vanished as soon as she learned that her beloved would soon leave her to return to the East, where a wife with two was waiting for him sons. So it was that the girl waited for the night and as soon as the Moor fell asleep he killed him and then cut off his head. Of the Moro's head he made a vase where he planted some basil and put it on display outside in the balcony. In this way, the Moro, being unable to leave, would remain with her forever. Meanwhile, the basil grew lush and aroused the envy of all the inhabitants of the neighbourhood that, not to be outdone, they were made to build some terracotta pots in the shape of a Moro's head. Even today in the Sicilian balconies you can admire Heads of Moro often also called "Teste di Turco" of exquisite workmanship, a nice warning for all husbands!" So finely worked, beautiful and colorful, the dark brown heads are a symbol of the artistic tradition and Sicilian culture. This contemporary example is more current than the traditional one. it is completely handmade following the ancient Italian and Sicilian tradition to turn and paint the ceramic by hand. There are others two with two different colors.

Dimensions:
Height: 14.97 in (38 cm)Width: 12.6 in (32 cm)Depth: 9.85 in (25 cm)
Style:
Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Ceramic,Hand-Painted,Turned
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
21st Century
Date of Manufacture:
2017
Production Type:
New & Custom(Limited Edition)
Estimated Production Time:
Available Now
Condition:
Seller Location:
Milano, IT
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU1689215174892