Vase - Majolica - Moor's head - Caltagirone
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€ 1
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Selected by Francisco Álvarez
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Estimate € 170 - € 210
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Description from the seller
Beautiful half-length sculpture, in handmade ceramic by master ceramicists from Caltagirone. It represents an intriguing Sicilian girl, protagonist of the famous and dramatic legend dating back to around the year 1100, during the Arab domination in Sicily. The most famous story tells that:
The meeting: In the Kalsa district of Palermo lived a very beautiful girl who spent her days tending the plants on her balcony. A young Moor (a prince or an Arab soldier) passed by, fell madly in love with her and declared his love, returned with the same passion.
The betrayal: Happiness lasted little: the girl soon discovered that the young man would soon leave her to return to the East, where a wife and children awaited him.
The revenge: Wounded in pride and blinded by jealousy, the girl waited for night and, while he slept, killed him by cutting off his head.
The vase: To keep her beloved with her forever, she created a vase with his head, planted basil inside it and put it on the balcony. Watered by her tears, the basil grew so lush that it aroused the envy of the neighbors, who began to have local terracotta vases made with the features of a Moor’s head by artisans.
Beautiful half-length sculpture, in handmade ceramic by master ceramicists from Caltagirone. It represents an intriguing Sicilian girl, protagonist of the famous and dramatic legend dating back to around the year 1100, during the Arab domination in Sicily. The most famous story tells that:
The meeting: In the Kalsa district of Palermo lived a very beautiful girl who spent her days tending the plants on her balcony. A young Moor (a prince or an Arab soldier) passed by, fell madly in love with her and declared his love, returned with the same passion.
The betrayal: Happiness lasted little: the girl soon discovered that the young man would soon leave her to return to the East, where a wife and children awaited him.
The revenge: Wounded in pride and blinded by jealousy, the girl waited for night and, while he slept, killed him by cutting off his head.
The vase: To keep her beloved with her forever, she created a vase with his head, planted basil inside it and put it on the balcony. Watered by her tears, the basil grew so lush that it aroused the envy of the neighbors, who began to have local terracotta vases made with the features of a Moor’s head by artisans.
Details
Era
After 2000
Weight
4 kg
Ceramics type
Majolica
Specific region of origin
Sicilia
Title additional information
Moor's head - Caltagirone
Number of objects
1
Country of origin
Italy
Material
Ceramic
Style
Vintage
Colour
Blue
Condition
As new - unused
Height
30 cm
Width
21 cm
Depth
22 cm
Estimated period
2000-2010
