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 fatti a mano all’aperto, stile tradizionale e colori vivaci

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.

On the cover

Testa di donna ceramica Caltagirone Sofia con limoni blu e arancio, ceramiche fatti a mano.

Ceramic Head with lemons h 40 blu/orange male

$442.00

475 products

Testa di moro in ceramica di Caltagirone fatta a mano con corona dorata e melograni rossi

Head h 40 green/orange pomegranate male dark brown

$473.00

Ceramiche Caltagirone fatti a mano, testa di moro decorativa e vasi artistici in ceramica colorata

Head h 40 pomegranate green/orange woman

$473.00

Testa di moro maschile in ceramica di Caltagirone fatta a mano con corona e melograni decorativi verdi e arancio

Teste di Moro in ceramica colorata fatto a mano, coppia maschio e femmina con corone dorate, ceramiche Caltagirone

Head h 40 green/orange pomegranate male white

$473.00

Testa h 25 turbante decoro sicily - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 25 turban decoration Sicily - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

From $225.00

Testa h 38 in decoro sicily femmina - Ceramiche Di Caltagirone Sofia - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head of Sicily h 38 blu and orange female - Sofia Ceramiche artistic Ceramics

$442.00

Testa h 25 cm limoni blu e arancio femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head with lemons h 25 blu/orange female

$247.00

Testa h 25 limoni verde/arancio maschio bianco - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 25 lemons green/orange male white

$247.00

Testa h 25 limoni verde/arancio femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 25 lemons green/orange female

$247.00

Testa h 25 limoni verde/arancio maschio moro - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head with lemons h 25 green/orange male

$247.00

Moor's head h 40 blue and orange pomegranates female

$473.00

Ceramic Head with pomegranate h 40 blu/orange male

$473.00

Testa h 40 limoni verde/arancio maschio bianco - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head with lemons h 40 green/orange male

$442.00

Moorish Head h 30 green and orange - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

$312.00

Moor Head Vase h 30 Green and Orange - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

$312.00

Testa h 40 melograno giallo e arancio donna - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head with pomegranate h 40 yellow/orange female

$473.00

Testa h 40 limoni verde/arancio femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 40 lemons green/orange female

$442.00

Ceramiche Caltagirone fatti a mano vaso testa di donna con corona e dettagli floreali sullo sfondo mare

Testa di moro in ceramica di Caltagirone, coppia fatta a mano con corona, verde e arancio

Ceramic Head with pomegranate h 25 green/orange female

$278.00

Testa h 40 limoni verde/arancio maschio moro - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 40 lemons green/orange male dark brown

$442.00

Testa h 30 Verde Smeraldo Donna - Teste di moro moderne Sofia Ceramiche - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Testa h 30 Integral Green woman - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

$225.00

Testa h 30 in blu e arancio donna - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Testa h 30 in blu e arancio donna - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

$312.00

Testa h 40 perline black gold con espressione femmina labbra arancio - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Testa h 40 c/perline black/gold c/espressione femmina labbra arancio

$437.00

Testa h 40 perline in giallo e arancio maschio moro - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head with h 40 yellow/orange male

$442.00

Testa h 38 in verde e arancio femmina - Ceramiche Di Caltagirone Sofia - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head of Sicily h 38 green and orange female - Sofia Ceramiche artistic Ceramics

$442.00

Testa h 38 in mono blu femmina - Ceramiche Di Caltagirone Sofia - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head of Sicily h 38 mono blu female - Sofia Ceramiche artistic Ceramics

$442.00

Testa h 40 c/perline decoro sicily maschio moro - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 40 w/pearls Sicilian decoration male Moor

$442.00

Testa h 40 c/perline decoro sicily femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 40 w/pearls sicily decoration female

$442.00

Testa di moro ceramica colorata con corona, mustacchi e barba, ceramiche Caltagirone fatti a mano

Testa di Moro maschio in ceramica di Caltagirone fatta a mano con turbante verde e arancio

Ceramic Head h 25 green/orange male

$225.00

Testa di donna corona blu e arancio, ceramiche Caltagirone fatti a mano tradizionali

Ceramica di Caltagirone fatta a mano con volto femminile decorato in blu e arancio, testata artigianale

Ceramic head h 20 blue/orange female

$149.00

Testa h 25 liscia verde/arancio femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head h 25 green/orange female

$225.00

Testa h 25 turbante monocromia di Blu - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 25 monochrome turban by Blu - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

$225.00

Testa h 38 in blu e arancio femmina - Ceramiche Di Caltagirone Sofia - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic vase Head h 38 blu and orange female - Sofia Ceramiche artistic Ceramics

$442.00

Coppia di Teste in Ceramica H 15 Diverse Colorazioni - Arte di Caltagirone - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Pair of Sicilian ceramic "Moor's head" from Caltagirone.

$115.00

Testa h 30 in blu e arancio maschio moro - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Testa h 30 in blu e arancio maschio - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

$312.00

Testa h 30 madreperla con palline rosse maschio moro - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Testa h 30 in Avorio maschio moro - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

$293.00

Testa h 30 madreperla con palline rosse donna - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Testa h 30 in Avorio donna - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

$293.00

Testa h 30 in blu e arancio maschio bianco - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Testa h 30 in blu e arancio maschio bianco - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

$312.00

Testa h 40 perline black gold con espressione uomo labbra arancio - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Testa h 40 c/perline black/gold c/espressione uomo labbra arancio

$437.00

Testa h 40 liscia verde smeraldo maschio - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Modern Sicilian ceramic "Moor's head" from Caltagirone.

$295.00

Testa h 40 liscia verde smeraldo femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Modern Sicilian ceramic "Moor's head" from Caltagirone.

$295.00

Testa h 25 con melagrana giallo e arancio maschio moro - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 25 with pomegranate yellow and orange male

$278.00

Testa h 40 con limoni mono blu femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Sicilian ceramic "Moor's head" with sicilian lemons from Caltagirone

$442.00

Testa h 40 melograno giallo e arancio uomo - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head with pomegranate h 40 yellow/orange male

$473.00

Testa h 40 limoni white line femmina - Teste di moro moderne Sofia Ceramiche - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head with lemons h 40 white line female - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

$343.00

Testa h 40 c/perline verde/arancio maschio moro - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 40 w/green/orange dark male beads

$442.00

Testa h 40 c/perline decoro sicily maschio bianco - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 40 w/pearls Sicily decoration white male

$442.00

Testa h 25 melograni white line femmina - Teste di moro moderne Sofia Ceramiche - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Moor Head with pomegranate h 25 white line female - Modern Moor head

$219.00

Head h 25 with beads monochrome of blue female

$247.00

Testa h 25 c/perline decoro sicily femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 25 with beads blue/orange female

$247.00

Testa di moro decorativa femmina in ceramica di Caltagirone fatta a mano con dettagli rossi, blu, gialli e fiori, sfondo rosso

Testa di ceramica caltagirone fatta a mano con decorazioni floreali rosse e gialle, volto femminile e turbante

Head h 50 w/turban decoration sicily female

From $947.00

Testa di moro ceramica Caltagirone fatta a mano decorata con corona, foglie e melograni, sullo sfondo mare blu

ceramiche Caltagirone fatti a mano con testa di moro decorativa intagliata e dipinta a mano con corona e dettagli verde e oro

Ceramic Head with pomegranate h 25 green/orange male

$278.00

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.

Our Ceramics

Worked by hand, any imperfections denote the originality of the work.

Shipping Times and Costs

Insured shipping worldwide. In Italy shipping is free* (minimum order €80)

Rapid Assistance

For any information on our products or doubts contact us! We will be happy to help you!

Secure payments

100% secure card payments. Payment in installments PayPal or bank transfer.

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

FAQs