Unique ceramic heads of a Moor and a Moorish woman

Beautifully decorated ceramic heads, adorned with shiny and vibrant colours, where meticulous attention to painted details and high-quality ceramics contribute to the unique and exclusive value of this work of art.

Legend. A tale of love, jealousy, and revenge, dating back to the year 1000, during the reign of the Moors in Sicily. This story unfolds in the historic district of Palermo known as Kalsa.

In this place lived a dazzling young woman who captivated a Moor to such an extent that he wanted to demonstrate his unbridled love. Unbeknownst to her, he harboured a deep secret — his imminent return to the East, where his wife and children awaited him.

Tormented by wounded pride and feeling betrayed by the person she considered her true love, she meticulously plotted her revenge. Under the cover of night, she took his life and severed his head, thus ensuring that her beloved would remain with her forever. This macabre act gave rise to the nickname "testa di moro" or "testa di turco" (Moor's head). She ingeniously used his severed head as a vessel in which she grew basil — a plant inextricably linked to divine symbolism and forever associated with sanctity. Legend has it that from that moment, the basil flourished, nourished by the young girl's tears. However, the charm of this plant aroused jealousy among other residents of the area. Consequently, they commissioned skilled craftsmen to create terracotta vases, each meticulously crafted in the likeness of the Moor's head.

The Artefice Atelier brand is synonymous with the highest quality raw materials and handcrafted work.

The dual nature of the ceramic object is one of the most fascinating aspects of human activity to explore. In fact, success in bridging the divide between practical problems and individual expression poses a creative challenge for Artefice Atelier. The way it approaches this subject defines the quality of its perception and artistic creativity.

SICILY, OUR STRENGTH

Here the power of volcanoes merges with a rich and fascinating past, inspiring culture, rich traditions, and a vibrant present. This unique place unleashes inspiration with its wild beauty, the aftermath of eruptions, and a history that still echoes in its ancient ruins.

Thanks to its natural majesty and timeless cultural heritage, Sicily offers endless nourishment for creativity.

In fact, this island, with its captivating landscapes and rich culture, is the creative breeding ground for Artefice Atelier, which draws the essence of its works from here. Artistic artefacts, shaped by their master craftsmen, contain the glowing energy of volcanoes and the depth of ancient Sicilian legends, giving each piece a unique soul.

TO BE MADE

One of our strengths is the continuous exchange of ideas with clients. Comparing with their thoughts, their needs, is an essential and irreplaceable idea for creating ever-new articles.

Each piece is created with care and love, with attention and attention to detail; And the method of work is part of the identity of the manufactory, which they will never betray. It is fundamental for them to continuously seek new stimuli, original harmonies, expanding horizons, through artistic expressions that are never banal and always experimental.

The brand also stands out for the quality of the raw materials it works with, such as stoneware suitable for tableware. Every day they work to achieve the main goal: to put all creativity at the service of others, to realise their desires, through their artistic sense.

FROM EARTH TO MAIOLICA

Each work is born from a pencil sketch, which is the translation of the artist's thought. From there, the shaping of the object, which transforms the image of imagination into reality. Skilled hands use clay and water and can almost magically create the desired shapes. Left to dry for a few days under special conditions, the object reaches the so-called "leather-hard" stage and will thus be ready for the first firing at around 1000°C.

The terracotta is then ready for decoration. This is the phase of the production process during which the artist gives their all. It often involves giving space to imagination and colour.

The production process concludes with a second firing at approximately 920°C, which enhances the colours' brilliance and preserves the paints over the centuries. Sometimes, due to the sheen, a third firing is necessary.

WITH ALL OUR HEART

Dynamic, eclectic, based on artistic experiments, a continuous search for beauty and planning that aims to make Made in Italy its strength and pride. It focuses on the highest quality materials and highly experienced workers with refined craftsmanship.

A proposal for furnishing, style, and design of the contemporary home, presented through a profile imitating various artistic expressions, where painting art merges with different forms, expressing itself in unique objects, raw earth that can now become a vase, now a lamp, now a praying and dynamic sculpture.

State-of-the-art technologies, a desire to experiment, continuous commitment to research, and our motivation are the success factors of the manufactory.

DESIGN, QUALITY AND ORIGINALITY

Our entire production is guided by the pursuit of style, in the name of elegance and good taste, where tradition and modernity, design and innovation combine to offer a product of excellence.

Every detail expresses great passion and distinct craftsmanship: in-depth knowledge of raw materials, majolica processing, and a careful love for details. All tangible results of a relentless quest for beauty and character, where design meets the experience of the most meticulous craftsmanship.

Artefice Atelier, being a happy meeting of stylistic inspirations from the past and a continuous search for cutting-edge charm, interprets high creativity at the highest level, a meeting of art, design, and good taste, while the alchemy of colours combined with the material sign generates avant-garde objects with a unique and unparalleled personality.