Category: Ceramics

  • We’re Waiting for Her

    Terracotta statuette of Persephone, Queen of the Underworld, from Morgantina’s North Sanctuary, c.300 BC.

  • Colorful Vases

    Ceramics, Caltagirone. (Photo Credit: Experience Sicily’s Filippo Buttitta)

  • Bloom and Song

    From February 12-22, 2015 the city of Agrigento celebrates the 70th Sagra del Mandorlo in Fiore (The Festival of the Blooming Almond Trees) and the 60th International Festival of Folklore. The “in Fiore” festival marks that spring is arriving and the almond trees are in bloom, while the folklore festival features performances of not only…

  • An Inspired Workout

    Caltagirone’s Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte was built in 1609 to connect the old lower town to the new upper town. Since 1954, each of its 142 steps was decorated with a unique design of colorful, handcrafted majolica ceramic tile, a craft for which the city is world renowned. (Photo Credit: Experience Sicily’s Filippo…

  • Dish It Art

    Ceramic plate, in the style of artisans from Caltagirone.

  • A Legend of Revenge

    An odd, yet popular decoration seen on terraces, garden balconies, topping gate-pillars, and sometimes as the base of lamps – as pictured here, are ceramic busts of kings, queens, and moors. The owners fill the majolica vases with flowers or other plants, or in this case, electricity. I’ve always found this to be creepy because,…

  • I Duomo

    Church dome (duomo) with majolica tiles, Cathedral of San Lorenzo, Trapani.

  • She’s Finally Home

    At Aidone, finally, is one of the most magnificent statues of a goddess from the ancient Greek era. Dated to be from 410 BC, the figure’s torso was carved using limestone from a quarry near Ragusa and her head and arms from imported Parian marbel. It was produced using a pseudo-acrolithic technique, giving her chiton…

  • Merry Christmas!

    Merry Christmas! Buon Natale! Mother and child, Maria S.S. di Conadomini, Patron Saint of Caltagirone also known as “Our Lady of the Bread” in recognition of her protection of farmers and their crops. May peace be with you, your family, and loved-ones this Christmas!