Persephone

£1,175.00

Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

In Palermo’s historic Kalsa district, around the year 1000, when Sicily lived under Moorish rule, a tale of love, jealousy and revenge was born, and it is still told today. A beautiful young woman won the heart of a Moor, who swore his devotion to her. But he kept a secret: he meant to return to the East, where a wife and children awaited him. Wounded by the betrayal, she took her revenge and kept him with her for ever. From his head she made a pot, and in it she planted basil, a herb long linked with the sacred. Nourished, so the legend says, by her tears, the basil grew with astonishing abundance. The neighbours, envious of its beauty, soon commissioned craftsmen to make terracotta pots in the shape of a Moor’s head, and so the testa di moro was born.

Persephone, known in its native Sicily as Persefone, carries that story into a new form: the head of a woman in ceramic, finely decorated in bright, vivid colours, where the attention to pictorial detail and the quality of the ceramic make it unique and exclusive. Finished in a luminous, high-fire glossy glaze of rich, abundant colour, with no single shade taking over, it is a piece that rewards a long, slow look.

In your home

A commanding conversation piece, this sculpture is a dominant, expressive accent, yet it settles gracefully into any interior. In a calm, minimalist room it becomes a quiet focal point, and among layered, eclectic collections it feels perfectly at home. Place it on a console, a sideboard or a shelf, and let it tell its story to your guests.

For collectors: the pair

Persephone is one of a pair. Her companion, Hades, is available separately, or the two may be bought together for a striking dialogue on a console or mantelpiece. Each is available on its own, or choose the Pair option when ordering to display the two together

A gift as unique as its recipient

For anyone who loves art, design and luxury, this sculpture is a gift of rare character. Because each piece is made by hand, no two are alike, and the one you give will be truly theirs alone. It is a thoughtful choice for collectors, lovers of folklore and all who surround themselves with beauty.

Details

Material: high-fire glazed ceramic
Finish: glossy
Dimensions: H 45 cm, W 20 cm, D 15 cm
Available separately or as a pair with Hades
Entirely hand-crafted by Artefice Atelier
Each piece is a unique creation and may differ slightly from the one shown in the photographs
Care: For indoor display. Dust gently with a soft dry cloth, or wipe with a slightly damp one.

Carefully on its way to you

Each piece makes its way to you carefully packed, by courier. The shipping cost is shown at checkout, before you complete your payment, so there are no surprises.

Delivery times

Delivery times are indicative and always count from the confirmation of your order.

Ready in stock: 1 to 3 working days
Made for you: 15 working days to 3 months. Many of our pieces are shaped and painted entirely by hand, and this takes time. It is part of what makes each one unique.

These times may change due to circumstances beyond our control, such as force majeure, traffic and road conditions, or official orders by the authorities. We thank you for your patience, and we will always do our best to bring your piece to you as soon as possible.

Changed your mind? We are here to help

If you wish to return a piece, please send us your request in writing through the contact form below. You have 14 days from your delivery notification to return it. The piece should be unused and undamaged, in its original packaging, with its tags still attached.

Damaged or defective pieces

If your piece arrives damaged or defective, please let us know through the contact form within 2 days of receiving it, and we will gladly look after you under our Return and Refund Policy.

Costs, refunds and made-to-order pieces

Return costs, refund details and timings, and the possibility of returning pieces made especially for you vary from product to product. After you send your request, we will let you know the conditions that apply to your piece.