Ceramic Apotropaic Mask by Gennaro Condurso, Italy, 2010s

Details

Description

An expressive ceramic wall mask from Seminara, the renowned pottery village in Calabria, made by Gennaro Condurso, a member of … Read more An expressive ceramic wall mask from Seminara, the renowned pottery village in Calabria, made by Gennaro Condurso, a member of a ceramic family that has been producing traditional pottery for generations.

Dimensions: height 22 cm, width 19 cm, depth 6 cm.

This mask is entirely hand-shaped and glazed in a deep, glossy green tone, with darker nuances and a bright red tongue as a striking colour accent. The rich green glaze gives the piece an almost emerald-like appearance, while the rough modelling and visible handmade details make it feel lively and expressive.

The open mouth, hollow eyes, pronounced nose, protruding tongue and multiple curved horn-like forms give the mask a strong, almost mythical presence. Through its combination of shine, colour and irregular form, the piece feels folkloric, playful and sculptural at the same time.

Such masks are known in Southern Italy as maschere apotropaiche: protective masks traditionally hung on houses to ward off evil, misfortune or the evil eye. They belong to an old folk tradition in which ceramics, symbolism and decoration come together.

The reverse is signed by the artist and fitted with a hanging loop, making it easy to place on a wall.

Today, this mask is a striking decorative wall object: powerful, unique and authentic. Beautiful as an expressive accent among ceramics, folk art, wabi-sabi objects or contemporary art. This piece has an attribution mark,
I am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
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