Pair of giant ceramic Moor's Heads from Caltagirone, G. Romano workshop, Sicily, 1960s-1970s

Splendid pair of polychrome glazed majolica vase-sculptures, hand-moulded and painted in the workshop of Giuseppe Romano in Caltagirone, Sicily, in the 1960s-1970s, sold as a pair.

Caltagirone is one of the oldest ceramic towns in the Mediterranean. Its name derives from the Arabic "Qal'at al Ghiran", the fortress of vases. Since the 9th century, family workshops there have perpetuated modelling and glazing techniques passed down from generation to generation, under the successive influence of Arab, Norman and Sicilian Baroque traditions. Giuseppe Romano, known as Pino, born in Caltagirone in 1905, is one of the most respected figures in this tradition. A painter, fresco artist and ceramist, in 1954 he created the largest majolica panel ever produced in the city, still visible today in the Galleria Luigi Sturzo in the heart of Caltagirone. He retired from activity in 1975, leaving the workshop to his son Marcello. He passed away in 1978. Pieces bearing his handwritten signature "G. Romano Caltagirone" on the reverse belong to the active period of the founding workshop, prior to this transmission.

The size is exceptional: 51 cm in height by 40 cm in width.

Bordeaux pink turban modelled in relief, baroque crowns with volumetric fruit decorations (grapes, lemons, leaves), faces painted with a precision and expressiveness that contemporary production no longer achieves. The glazing has the depth and patina characteristic of a master firing. The pair represents the male and female duo, a canonical form of the Sicilian Testa di Moro. This Mediterranean Baroque aesthetic, with warm colours, fruit in relief and ceremonial crowns, is today directly associated with the visual world of Dolce & Gabbana: these pieces are its authentic and original expression, coming from a master's workshop, long before fashion took hold of it.

Features:

Origin: Caltagirone, Sicily, Italy

Workshop: Giuseppe "Pino" Romano (1905-1978), handwritten signature on the back of both pieces

Period: circa 1960s-1970s

Material: Polychrome glazed majolica, hand-modelled and painted Dimensions: H 51 cm, W 40 cm (each piece)

Condition: Very good general condition

Sold as a pair.

Payment facilities with Paypal or 3 interest-free instalments or deferred payment with Klarna. Free delivery from 200€: secure shipping, careful protection and insurance included. Free collection in store in Sète (34200).