On offer is a heavy, mustard yellow majolica pinecone from Sicily, entirely handcrafted (and handpainted) by an expert Sicilian artisan on the lathe from precious Caltagirone ceramic. Each ‘scale’ has been manually sculpted and applied. Sicilian pinecones are the symbol of an ancient tradition passed down through generations of artisans to the present day. Indeed, they are a pride of Sicilian art and are offered as gifts expressing hope for the recipient’s prosperity and good fortune. As this pinecone is an artisanal craft, some small imperfections — such as occasional rough edges — are present and a sign of the uniqueness and originality of the piece. DIMENSIONS: The pinecone measures 22.5 cm high and 16 cm wide (at the widest point). CONDITION: The item is in fine condition. Any minor blemishes are due to the fact that it is an artisanal handcrafted piece. SHIPPING: The pinecone will be carefully wrapped, packaged, and boxed, and shipped with a tracking number. MAJOLICA PINECONES are found all over the island of Sicily and, more broadly, across southern Italy. The pinecone is a significant symbol. As a botanical, it is a reproductive entity: the female pinecones contain the seeds, while the male ones hold the pollen. In ancient Greece, the pinecone represented the god of male fertility, Dionysus, who had a pinecone decorating the top of his staff. As part of Grecian beliefs, fertility creates prosperity, and when one is blessed with prosperity, it is meant to be shared with others. In other ancient cultures, pinecones are symbols of spiritual wisdom, representing the third eye — the awakened inner transcendence to enlightenment. According to more modern interpretations, pinecones are meant to attract prosperity to one’s household and to convey that one’s home is a welcoming, hospitable respite for others. In sum, pinecones portend good omens!