Montoro - Box (3) - Sicilian craftsmanship - Wood - Opera dei Pupi

Fascinating lot composed of 3 wooden boxes of different sizes, fully decorated in the Sicilian folkloric style with lively scenes drawn from the knightly epics of Opera dei Pupi and the Paladins of France on the lid, and monuments or typical Sicilian characters on the sides. Dating from the 1970s or 1980s.

Two of the three boxes bear the prestigious signature of the renowned artisan workshop of Carmelo Montoro (San Giovanni la Punta, Catania), a historic reference for the creation of items of the Sicilian tradition (carretti, tambourines and art containers for high pastry).

- Large Box (Montoro workshop):
central scene on the lid with Rinaldo surrendering to King Charles. Above the cliffs of Acitrezza, on the sides the Elephant of Catania and an ancient temple, below two putti holding the symbol of the Trinacria. On the sides: monuments, Etna, and the Catanese musician Vincenzo Bellini. The box bears on the bottom the authentic original forge stamp of the Montoro artisan.
Dimensions: 22.5 x 22.5 x 8.5 cm

- Medium Box (Montoro workshop):
splendid graphic inspired by Catanese imagery. On the center of the lid a scene of combat between Orlando and Ferraù. At the sides of the image Etna, archaeological ruins and two putti holding the symbol of the Trinacria. At the sides of the box: the church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti and 3 women in traditional attire. It preserves on the bottom the original Montoro workshop paper label, a rare historical detail to be found intact.
Dimensions: 19 x 15 x 9 cm

- Small Box (other producer):
coherent in style and chivalric theme, magnificently completes the triptych. On the lid a scene depicts Ruggero blessing the flag (Palermo 1070). At the sides a fountain and a woman with a vase. No visible marks or signatures.
Dimensions: 17.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 cm

Condition report:
The lot is overall in excellent condition. All larger boxes show vivid colors, well-defined and detailed printing, and solid construction. The large box is in nearly perfect condition, with very minimal signs of wear. The medium-sized one has the print slightly worn and raised on two edges of the lid and other small signs of wear. The smallest has a small chip, about 1.5 cm, on the lid print at the lower edge.

----------------------------------------

Photos are an important and integral part of the description, so please view them carefully before making offers. Keep in mind that although they were taken carefully with natural light, the actual color of the item may vary slightly due to ambient lighting conditions or your monitor/screen settings.

Important: for purchases outside the European Union, duties, taxes and other charges are not included in the product price or shipping cost, and are therefore the buyer’s sole responsibility.

About shipping: I ship only via certified and traceable couriers. I am not responsible for any delivery delays, service disruptions or losses caused solely by the carriers, external events, or customs holds. If problems occur during transit, I will nonetheless, within my means, provide maximum support to file claims and monitor the shipment with the courier."}{