What is the meaning of the Moor's Heads?

The Moor's Heads symbolize a tragic love story and revenge. In addition to the legend, they represent the rich history and culture of Sicily, as well as the local craftsmanship in creating unique and artistic pieces.

Why are the Moor's Heads lucky?

The Moor's Heads are considered lucky because they are believed to protect the home from negative energies and bad omens. The legend and their presence as symbolic guardians help to instill a sense of protection and well-being.

What to put next to the Moor's Heads?

Next to the Moor's Heads, it is common to put lush plants, such as basil, which according to Sicilian tradition bring prosperity. In addition, you can add other typical Sicilian decorative elements, such as colored ceramics and Mediterranean fruits, to create a harmonious and authentic atmosphere.

Teste di Moro - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Moor's heads

The Moor's Heads are an iconic creation of the Sicilian tradition , artistic representations of faces that tell a legend of love and revenge. These ceramic vases, rich in details and bright colors, adorn balconies and gardens, symbolizing history, culture and local craftsmanship. The Heads are an iconic creation of the Sicilian tradition, artistic representations of faces that tell a legend of love and revenge.

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Testa h 40 limoni blu e arancio femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head with lemons h 40 blu/orange male

€334,80

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474 products

Testa h 25 con limoni siciliani gialli in madreperla femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 25 with yellow Sicilian lemons in mother of pearl female

€197,52

Testa h 25 con limoni siciliani gialli in madreperla uomo - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 25 with yellow Sicilian lemons in mother of pearl man

€197,52

Head h 20 w/flowers w/expression red lips sicily decoration female

€249,59

Testa h 20 c/fiori c/espressione labbra rosse madreperla colorato verde/giallo femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 20 w/flowers w/expression red lips mother of pearl colored green/yellow female

€249,59

Testa h 28 medusa c/corona madreperla colorato - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 28 jellyfish with colored mother of pearl crown

€423,02

Testa h 30 zahira c/fiori ornato blu madreperla antichizzato femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 30 zahira w/flowers decorated with antiqued blue mother-of-pearl female

€241,84

Vaso teste h 40 bordeaux/oro - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head vase h 40 burgundy/gold

€650,89

Vaso teste h 40 madreperla antichizzato oro e lustri - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Vase heads h 40 mother of pearl antique gold and lustres

€753,07

Testa h 20 c/fiori c/espressione madreperla oro e lustri femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 20 w/flowers w/expression mother of pearl gold and lustres female

€300,37

Head h 38 mother of pearl medusa antique gold lustres w/gold lips expression

€671,31

Testa Medusa sognia h 40 madreperla antichizzato labbra rosse femmina

€601,60

Head Dream h 40 Medusa Mother of Pearl Antique Red Lips Female

€644,63

Moor's Head h 30 zahira mother of pearl antiqued with female roses

€283,16

Head h 25 turban jellyfish mother of pearl colored red beads

€343,40

Head h 25 turban jellyfish mother of pearl antique gold and lustres with gold lips expression

€429,47

Testa Medusa h 48 madreperla antichizzato oro e lustri

€852,05

Medusa head h 42 colored mother of pearl red lips

€601,60

Medusa head h 45 colored mother of pearl red lips (rich model)

€687,66

Head h 25 turban jellyfish mother of pearl colored blue beads

€343,40

Moor's Head Woman H 30 Mustard - Modern Monochrome Ceramic

€214,30

Moor's Head Man H 30 Mustard - Modern Monochrome Ceramic

€214,30

Testa h 38 medusa Madreperla Antichizzato con perline blu

€525,00

Testa di Moro femminile h 20 cm con fiori, labbra rosse, decoro Sicily in ceramica di Caltagirone

Dettaglio laterale Testa di Moro h 20 cm con fiori, decoro Sicily, ceramica artigianale Caltagirone

Moor's head h 20 cm Flowers line blue and orange decoration

€249,59

Testa di moro h 20 cm Linea Fiori decoro verde e arancio

€249,59

The Moor's Heads represent one of the most famous and fascinating examples of Sicilian craftsmanship. These ceramic works of art are famous not only for their aesthetic beauty but also for the rich cultural meaning they contain. Originating from Caltagirone, a center famous for the production of ceramics, the Moor's Heads embody a centuries-old tradition that has its roots in stories of love, revenge, and mystery.

Origins and Legends Behind the Moor's Heads

The history of the Moor's Heads is shrouded in the charm of medieval Sicilian legends. It is said that a young Moor, arriving in Sicily, fell madly in love with a beautiful local girl. When the girl discovered that the Moor was planning to return to his hometown, blinded by jealousy, she killed him. He then decided to transform the Moor's head into a vase to plant basil, a symbol of eternal love and revenge. From this legend was born the iconic symbol that today adorns many Sicilian balconies and gardens.

The Artisan Process of Sicilian Ceramics

Making a Moor's Head is a process that requires great skill and patience. The artisans of Caltagirone use traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation. The clay is modeled by hand to create the shape of the face, which is then decorated with intricate details. Next, the ceramics are fired at high temperatures to ensure their resistance and durability over time. Each piece is finally hand-painted, using a palette of bright colors that reflects the vibrant cultural heritage of Sicily.

Cultural Evidence and Significance

In addition to their aesthetic beauty, Moor's Heads are also testimonies to Sicily's rich cultural history. Each piece tells a story, a fragment of life lived, which reflects the complexity of local history and traditions. The choice of colors, shapes and details is designed to evoke emotions and provoke reflections, making these works one of a kind.

How to Incorporate Moor's Heads into Modern Design

Moor's Heads are not just objects to be admired; they are also versatile design elements that can enrich any environment, whether traditional or contemporary. These vases are perfect for adding a touch of elegance and history to a modern living room, or to create a focal point on a Mediterranean-style terrace. Their ability to adapt to different contexts makes them very popular not only in Sicily, but also internationally.

Explore More About the History of Sicilian Ceramics

For those who want to discover more about the tradition of Sicilian ceramics and fully understand the meaning of the Moor's Heads, we invite you to visit our dedicated blog. Here you will find detailed insights into the origins, production techniques, and stories behind these fascinating creations.

More Art to Discover

Caltagirone is not only famous for its Moor's Heads, but also for a wide range of other artistic ceramics that celebrate Sicilian culture. From decorative plates to intricate tiles, each piece offers a glimpse of local art and craftsmanship. Discover more of our other artworks by visiting our Sicilian ceramics page.

The Moor's Heads represent one of the most famous and fascinating examples of Sicilian craftsmanship. These ceramic works of art are famous not only for their aesthetic beauty but also for the rich cultural meaning they contain. Originating from Caltagirone, a center famous for the production of ceramics, the Moor's Heads embody a centuries-old tradition that has its roots in stories of love, revenge, and mystery.

Origins and Legends Behind the Moor's Heads

The history of the Moor's Heads is shrouded in the charm of medieval Sicilian legends. It is said that a young Moor, arriving in Sicily, fell madly in love with a beautiful local girl. When the girl discovered that the Moor was planning to return to his hometown, blinded by jealousy, she killed him. He then decided to transform the Moor's head into a vase to plant basil, a symbol of eternal love and revenge. From this legend was born the iconic symbol that today adorns many Sicilian balconies and gardens.

The Artisan Process of Sicilian Ceramics

Making a Moor's Head is a process that requires great skill and patience. The artisans of Caltagirone use traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation. The clay is modeled by hand to create the shape of the face, which is then decorated with intricate details. Next, the ceramics are fired at high temperatures to ensure their resistance and durability over time. Each piece is finally hand-painted, using a palette of bright colors that reflects the vibrant cultural heritage of Sicily.

Cultural Evidence and Significance

In addition to their aesthetic beauty, Moor's Heads are also testimonies to Sicily's rich cultural history. Each piece tells a story, a fragment of life lived, which reflects the complexity of local history and traditions. The choice of colors, shapes and details is designed to evoke emotions and provoke reflections, making these works one of a kind.

How to Incorporate Moor's Heads into Modern Design

Moor's Heads are not just objects to be admired; they are also versatile design elements that can enrich any environment, whether traditional or contemporary. These vases are perfect for adding a touch of elegance and history to a modern living room, or to create a focal point on a Mediterranean-style terrace. Their ability to adapt to different contexts makes them very popular not only in Sicily, but also internationally.

Explore More About the History of Sicilian Ceramics

For those who want to discover more about the tradition of Sicilian ceramics and fully understand the meaning of the Moor's Heads, we invite you to visit our dedicated blog. Here you will find detailed insights into the origins, production techniques, and stories behind these fascinating creations.

More Art to Discover

Caltagirone is not only famous for its Moor's Heads, but also for a wide range of other artistic ceramics that celebrate Sicilian culture. From decorative plates to intricate tiles, each piece offers a glimpse of local art and craftsmanship. Discover more of our other artworks by visiting our Sicilian ceramics page.

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Moor's heads

Origins and Legends Behind the Moor's Heads

The Artisan Process of Sicilian Ceramics

Cultural Evidence and Significance

How to Incorporate Moor's Heads into Modern Design

Explore More About the History of Sicilian Ceramics

More Art to Discover

Origins and Legends Behind the Moor's Heads

The Artisan Process of Sicilian Ceramics

Cultural Evidence and Significance

How to Incorporate Moor's Heads into Modern Design

Explore More About the History of Sicilian Ceramics

More Art to Discover

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