Tag: ceramics
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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…
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Dish It Art
Ceramic plate, in the style of artisans from Caltagirone.
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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,…
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Seeing Red
Ceramic plate in the traditional red-orange design style from Santo Stefano di Camastra.
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Ceramic Duo
Ceramic figurines with tambourine and guitar, Museo Etnografico Giuseppe Pitrè, Palermo.
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You’re Welcome
All over Sicily you will see ceramic pine cones donning the gates and entryways of homes and businesses. These colorful pine cones symbolize warmth and hospitality.
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Dionysus, Sun/Moon, Aeolus, and Medusa
Ceramic masks, Caltagirone.
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Meet Mirella
After our recent tour, during my stay in Bagheria, I was fortunate to meet graphic and ceramic artist Mirella Pipia in her beautiful store. I am a great admirer of Mirella’s designs, and thanks to my generous cousins, I’m fortunate to have many pieces decorating my apartment in New York. What a pleasure to have…
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13th Century Laser Show
The spellbinding inlaid floor of the Cathedral at Monreale is a tremendous example of Arab and Norman architectural and decorative styles. Semi-precious stone and marble pieces create dizzying and spectacular mosaic designs. Imagine a world without video games and computer generated design… this is the 13th century version of a laser show!