Decorative ornament - Italy

Antique wooden table painted by hand in Sicilian cart style, with historical and chivalric scenes, and today recognized worldwide as an icon and symbol of the island's folklore. Origins and Function
Origins and Function: It was born in the early decades of the 19th century to travel the roads and byways of the inland. It was used to transport fruit, wine, grain, and timber. It was driven by the cart driver, a key figure who traveled and carried news and culture between the villages. It showed the owner's social status, who often rose from simple farmer to merchant. The Art and Decoration
The construction required the work of master artisans: the carpenter for wood, the sculptor for the carvings, the blacksmith for iron, and the painter for the colors. The decorations depicted stories of the Paladins of France, myths or saints. They had a strong apotropaic and protective function, to ward off misfortune and preserve the wood. The dominant colors were vivid, like lava red and sea blue. To fully understand the craftsmanship and the decorative details that make this medium a unique masterpiece of the popular tradition, the panel measures are 40 cm in height by 100 cm in width.