Experience Sicily

Category: Art, Ceramics, Music

  • Mother And Child, Monreale Cathedral

    Merry Christmas! Buon Natale! (Madonna and child from Monreale Cathedral, Palermo, Sicily)

  • Ancient And Modern Music-Making In Sicily

    Female figure on a stool playing the lyre (4th – 5th century BCE), from the ancient city of Lilibeo (modern Marsala), seen in the Museo Whitacker archeological museum on Mozia Island.  Speaking of music-making, join Villa Palagonia duo on Sunday at 3PM (Eastern)/21:00 in Italia for an online concert of Sicilian folk music (and a…

  • Sicily Shopping Tip: Buy It When You See It

    Each piece of ceramics from Sicily is a unique work of art. I always tell my clients, if you see something you like in a shop, buy it there and then. Don’t wait, because you probably won’t see it again anywhere else. I love this typical plate that possesses a classic, baroque-style lemon and pomegranate…

  • Sicilian-Style Fiat 500

    This Fiat 500, painted by Ceramiche Galfano in the style of a Sicilian cart, can be found outside the Selinunte archaeological park in Castelveltrano. Be sure to leave some extra time to stop by the shop to visit this masterpiece and pick up a few ceramics and other unique artisanal items.

  • An Ancient Golden Platter In Sicily

    The extraordinary Phiale Aurea (or gold platter) of Caltavuturo (a village at the foot of the Madonie mountains of Palermo province) was created by an exceptional Greek goldsmith between the late 4th century/early 3rd century BCE. A bowl such as this one pictured was used during religious rites in ancient times for libations and offerings…

  • Let’s Dream of Sicily Tonight

    Join me tonight online! Although we can’t travel yet, Let’s Dream of Traveling to Sicily… Staring at 7:30PM Eastern I’ll give a presentation via Zoom during which I’ll discuss the highlights of traveling in the region, insider tips, and hold “Office Hours” to answer your questions. So, let’s muse of the views of what will…

  • Let’s Dream of Traveling To Sicily On Tuesday

    Whimsical ceramics made by Nino Parrucca from Palermo grace my home. What other ceramic artists do I suggest and where to buy their art is a question that I can answer during Tuesday evening’s Let’s Dream of Traveling to Sicily online presentation and Q&A. Let’s Dream of Traveling to SicilyPresentation and Question & Answer SessionTuesday,…

  • Reflecting On The Unconscious In Sicily

    Villa Palagonia or the “Villa of the Monsters,” built in the 18th century, was visited by German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in 1787. He described it as a place filled with “elements of madness,” because to him, its decor was a grotesque expression of the unconscious (And he’s right!). Certainly, in the late 18th…

  • Dancing In Piazza Armerina

    Waving a red scarf, this woman depicted in the Room of the Dance at the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina wears a decorative dress, elegant jewelry (note her bangles), and red shoes. She’s even sporting a cat eye makeup style! I like this woman! Archeologists think this 3rd/4th century C.E. mosaic was inspired…