Experience Sicily

Tag: ceramics

  • Ceramics with Spirit

    Susanna de Simone created this ceramic plate. She was born in Palermo in 1959, and from the time she was a child, has lived and breathed the art and technique of ceramics (Her father was a ceramist and her most influential mentor.). Her work, presented under the name La Fabbrica della Ceramica, can be seen…

  • Spoons, Knives, Forks

    Palermo artist Nino Parrucca designed this ceramic silverware holder that we use in our New York City apartment. Cucchiai (spoons), Coltelli (knives), Forchette (forks)

  • Inspired by Crochet

    This decorative ceramic plate by artist Mirella Pipia depicts a view of Capo Zafferano from Mongerbino, both near Bagheria. Mirella’s mother, who I’ve met a few times in the shop in Bagheria, crochets. I have a feeling that the details on this plate are inspired by some of her needlework designs.

  • Vinegar and Oil

    “Aceto e Olio” (vinegar and oil) ceramic containers are found on most Sicilian tables. Designs featuring lemons–one of the island’s principal crops–pervade home kitchens. Anna Boria, from Caltagirone, the city of ceramics, is the artist of this rendition of the lemon Aceto e Olio service set.

  • Ancient Greek-era Lekythos in Sicily

    This ancient Sicilian-Greek-era lekythos caught my eye because of the drummer and flute player depicted in its design. A lekythos is a specific shape of Greek pottery–narrow with one handle–that was used for storing olive oil c. 500 BC. They commonly showed men practicing rituals or daily tasks because it was a vessel used primarily…

  • Ancient Greek Drums in Sicily

    This ancient lekanis dipicts women holding drums (Why I was interested in it!). Lekanides were ceramic vessels often used by women to store items or serve food (The lid could be overturned and used as a second serving dish.). I don’t know the age of this one (Unfortunately, I didn’t make a note when I…

  • Nino Parrucca Ceramic Clock

    Ceramic clock by Palermo artist Nino Parrucca on my desk.

  • Folk Painting of a Trinacria on Ceramic Jug

    This Trinacria is painted on a ceramic jug in the same folk-style as a Sicilian cart might be painted. In this case, the Trinacria not only possesses wings, but snakes–versus wheat–decorating the head at the center of the three legs. My friend Dolores DeLuise explained the history and symbolism of the Trinacria beautifully: “The Trinacria…

  • Mementos for Your Carry-On

    Souvenir shop, Noto. No trip to Sicily would be complete without purchasing some ceramics to take home. Other mementos of Sicily to consider stuffing in your carry-on are preserves and honey (for example, crema di pistacchio, pistacchio pesto, wild fennel pesto, orange marmalade, citron jam, and bee honey from the fichi d’india), Malvasia wine, marzipan…