Sicilian Moorish heads, vases, Caltagirone ceramics, Design, home decoration, Sicilian craftsmanship, faces, visages, vases

$306.26

Shipping to United States: $113.43

Large Sicilian dark brown heads in Caltagirone ceramics entirely handmade in shape and decoration H34 L25

you can buy them individually or choose a pair with a white or black man.

The original Moor's heads made by the masters of art of Caltagirone represent a thousand-year-old love story,
They bring luck and prosperity to their owner.
Moor's heads can be used as vases to make your environment unique and elegant.
These heads have a glossy finish which makes them a very valuable item.
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each head is entirely handmade and any imperfection or slight difference in shape and size is part of its craftsmanship

History of the Moor's Heads

It is said that around the year 1100 AD, during the domination of the Muslims in Sicily, also called Moors, in the Arab quarter of Palermo called “Al Hàlisah” (which means the pure or the chosen one) today known as the Kalsa quarter, a beautiful young girl lived her solitary days locked in her house taking care of the plants on her balcony, the only way she was allowed to look at the world outside that house which, despite being rich and majestic, seemed to her like a golden prison.

One day, from the top of her flower-filled balcony, she was seen by a young Moor who, having fallen in love with her at first sight and seized by a violent passion, did not hesitate to declare his love for her.

The young girl, having never been courted and struck by the promise of love that the young Moor made to her, reciprocated his feelings and allowed him to enter that majestic house.

However, the young Moro, despite having abandoned himself to passion with the beautiful girl, had a wife and children in the East to return to. When he revealed the terrible news to the girl, embittered by that betrayed love that was about to abandon her, she was seized by a fatal anger and jealousy, which are still said to be typical of Sicilian women, which pushed her to seek a way to take revenge.

So at the end of the last night spent together, which was a prelude to the return journey, after having abandoned themselves to passion, he, having fallen into a deep sleep in her arms, slept unaware of his fate, then the girl put her revenge into practice and struck him to death.

Furthermore, the face of that young man, whom she had madly loved in that short time, was meant to remain at her side forever, so she cut off his head, creating with it an object similar to a vase that she placed on the balcony and planted a basil shoot inside (she chose basil because this fragrant plant, from the Greek “Basilikòs”, king, represents the herb of sovereigns).

In this way, by taking daily care of the plants on her balcony, the girl continued to take care of her beloved from whom she never separated again.

Every day she watered that basil with her tears, making the plant more and more flourishing and luxuriant.

The neighbors, looking with envy at that plant that was growing conspicuously and giving off an intense perfume in that bizarre head-shaped vase, had terracotta vases made that reproduced the same appearance as the one kept by the girl.

Shipping from Italy

Processing time

1-3 business days

Estimated shipping times

  • Italy : 3 - 6 business days
  • North America : 10 - 15 business days
  • Europe : 7 - 15 business days

I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.

Customs and import taxes

Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.

Payment Options

Secure options
  • Accepts Etsy gift cards

Returns & Exchanges

I gladly accept returns and exchanges

Just contact me within: 5 days of delivery

Ship items back to me within: 7 days of delivery

I don't accept cancellations

But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.

The following items can't be returned or exchanged

Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:

  • Custom or personalized orders
  • Perishable products (like food or flowers)
  • Digital downloads
  • Intimate items (for health/hygiene reasons)
  • Items on sale

Conditions of return

Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.

Reviews (4)

Average:

Beautiful unique pieces, thank you


Do not buy. Sent me something completely different to what was pictured and what I thought I was buying then refused to take them back and bullied. Not ok.


Love it! Excellent craftsmanship, exactly as pictured. Would definitely buy another piece from this seller.


The vases are exquisite and so beautifully made. They were well packaged and arrived from Italy in one piece. My kids also loved reading the Italian ads that were used as packaging!!


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