What to Buy in Palermo & Where

Sicilian Ceramic Pine Cone

These precious ceramics are two of the most appreciated and genuine Sicilian souvenirs. Their creation is deeply rooted in the folk stories and beliefs of the Mediterranean island.

The first one, teste di Moro, also known as Moorish heads, refers to the cheerfully coloured vases in the shape of crowned woman and man heads. Enchanted symbols of longing and unfulfilled love between a married Moor and a Sicilian girl. The story says that infuriated by his deceit, she decapitated him, so he could never go back home. Then the girl transformed his head into a vase and grew basil inside, watered with her tears.

Terraces and gardens all around Sicily wear the scent of eternal love.

Obviously, the legend comes with a footnote. Don’t try this at home!

The second, the pigne di Caltagirone are decorative ceramic pine cones symbolising prosperity, fertility, welcoming, and good luck. These decorate all ancient houses, their entrance pillars, balconies, thrones of kings, everything in need of exquisite and monumental.

This ceramics store has a large selection of vibrant and eye-catching Moor heads. Some follow the traditional, fruity line, while others are an unexpected, conceptualized version featuring elongated faces.

Also the pine cones go beyond the usual, simple and functionless statues and become bases for grand lamps or fruit bowls. Handmade in Palermo, bringing into far-away homes all the bright features of Sicily and precision of craftmanship.

A more than 40 years old family business, with a sense for high quality and rare art pieces. Event if the the pieces don’t lose their significance, they are promotors for a completely different kind of Sicilian artistic manifestation.

Their collection has a quite unique elegance given by darker, earthly tones, while still keeping a strong vibrance through an extremely high-gloss surface. And apart from the traditional majolica tiles, pine cones and Moor heads, the store sells also reproductions of the ancient, baroque-style “Albarelli” jars. Closed with a cork lid, the recipients were once used to store medicinal herbs.

I totally love it!