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 Sofia

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.

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Testa h 40 limoni blu e arancio femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head with lemons h 40 blu/orange male

$465.00

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Testa h 20 avorio maschio - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic head h 20 Ivory Line male

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Testa h 40 liscia mono blu donna - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Sicilian ceramic "Moor's head" with pomegranates from Caltagirone.

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Testa h 20 mono blu maschio moro - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic head h 20 blue monochrome male

$136.00

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

Ceramic Head h 25 green/orange male

$246.00

Testa h 20 verde/arancio maschio bianco - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head h 20 green/orange male

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Testa h 20 verde/arancio maschio moro - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head h 20 green/orange male

$136.00

Testa h 40 uva blu e arancio maschio moro - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head with grapes h 40 blue/orange male

$561.00

Testa h 33 liscia mono blu maschio moro - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 33 blue monochrome male

$293.00

Testa h 33 liscia mono blu maschio bianco - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 33 blue monochrome male

$293.00

Testa a Candeliere h 40 verde/arancio Maschio Moro - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Candlestick head h 40 green/orange male

$505.00

Testa di Moro con Fichi d'India h 40 blu e arancio maschio moro - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head with figs h 40 blu/orange male

$467.00

Testa h 40 limoni linea bordeaux femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head with lemons h 40 bordeaux female

$373.00

Testa h 40 limoni linea bordeaux maschio - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head with lemons h 40 bordeaux male

$373.00

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Testa h 20 linea avorio femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic head h 20 Ivory Line female

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Testa h 40 limoni avorio donna - Ceramiche di Caltagirone - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head with lemons h 40 Ivory Line female - Sofia Ceramic

$465.00

Testa h 40 limoni avorio maschio bianco - Ceramiche di Caltagirone - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head with lemons h 40 Ivory Line male - Sofia Ceramic

$465.00

Testa a candeliere h 40 mono blu maschio bianco - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Candlestick head h 40 monochrome of blue male

$505.00

Ceramic Head with pomegranate h 25 blu/orange male

$275.00

Ceramic Head with lemons h 25 blu/orange male

$246.00

Ceramic Head with lemons h 25 blu/orange male

$246.00

Candlestick head h 40 monochrome of blue male

$505.00

Testa a candeliere h 40 mono blu femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Candlestick head h 40 monochrome of blue female

$505.00

Testa a candeliere h 40 blu e arancio femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Candlestick head h 40 blue/orange female

$505.00

Testa a candeliere h 40 blu e arancio maschio moro - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Candlestick head h 40 blue/orange male

$505.00

Testa h 40 fichi blu e arancio donna - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head with figs h 40 blu/orange female

$467.00

Testa di moro moderna h 30 black/gold uomo ceramiche di caltagirone - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Modern head h 30 black/gold man - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

$431.00

Testa di moro moderna h 30 black/gold donna ceramiche di caltagirone - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Modern head h 30 black/gold woman - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

$431.00

Testa di moro moderna h 25 black line uomo ceramiche di caltagirone - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Modern head h 25 black line man - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

$317.00

Testa di moro moderna h 30 black line donna ceramiche di caltagirone - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Modern head h 25 black line woman - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

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Testa di moro moderna h 20 rosso fuoco uomo ceramiche di caltagirone - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Modern head h 20 fire red man - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

$92.00

Testa di moro moderna h 20 rosso fuoco donna ceramiche di caltagirone - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Modern head h 20 fire red woman - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

$92.00

Testa di moro moderna h 25 senape uomo ceramiche di caltagirone - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Moor Head Modern h 25 mustard man - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

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Testa di moro moderna h 25 senape donna ceramiche di caltagirone - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Modern head h 25 mustard woman - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

$165.00

Testa di moro a candeliere moderna h 25 rosso fuoco donna ceramiche di caltagirone - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Modern head candle holder h 25 fire red woman - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

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Testa di moro moderna h 25 rosso fuoco donna ceramiche di caltagirone - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Modern head h 25 fire red woman - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

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Testa di moro moderna h 30 turchese maschio ceramiche di caltagirone - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Modern head h 25 turchese man - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

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Testa di moro moderna h 30 turchese donna ceramiche di caltagirone - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Modern head h 25 turchese woman - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

$298.00

Testa h 40 limoni blu e arancio maschio bianco - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Ceramic Head with lemons h 40 blu/orange male

$465.00

Ceramic Head with pomegranate h 40 blu/orange male

$469.00

Testa a candeliere h 40 blu e arancio donna - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Candlestick head h 40 blue/orange female - Modern Moorish heads Sofia Ceramiche

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Testa sognia h 40 madreperla antichizzato oro lustri femmina viso lucido - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Dreamy head h 40 mother of pearl antique gold lustres female shiny face

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Testa sognia h 40 madreperla antichizzato oro lustri femmina viso opaco - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

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Testa di Moro Zahira Donna con Fiori Madreperla Antichizzato con Oro e Lustri - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Zahira Moor's Head Woman with Flowers Mother of Pearl Antiqued with Gold and Lustres

$382.00

Testa di Moro Zahira Uomo con Fiori Madreperla Antichizzato con Oro e Lustri - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Zahira Man's Moor's Head with Flowers Mother of Pearl Antiqued with Gold and Lustres

$453.00

Testa h 30 zahira c/fiori madreperla antichizzato mono bordeaux femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 30 zahira w/antique mother-of-pearl flowers single bordeaux female

$346.00

Testa h 20 c/fiori c/espressione labbra rosse madreperla colorato mono bordeaux femmina - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 20 w/flowers w/expression red lips mother of pearl colored mono bordeaux female

$347.00

Coppia di Teste h 20 tuareg Limoni Siciliani Madreperla Antichizzato - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Pair of Heads h 20 Tuareg Sicilian Lemons Mother of Pearl Antique

From $226.00

Testa h 30 Zahira Limoni Siciliani in Madreperla viso donna - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 30 Zahira Sicilian Lemons in Mother of Pearl face woman

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Testa h 30 Zahira Limoni Siciliani in Madreperla viso uomo - Ceramiche di Caltagirone Sofia

Head h 30 Zahira Sicilian Lemons in Mother of Pearl face man

$382.00

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.

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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

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