Vintage Hand-Sculpted Italian Ceramic Wall Ornament/ Plaque - "La Pupazza di Frascati" by Mireille
DESCRIPTION:
Up for sale is a culturally rich vintage Italian folk art ceramic wall plaque. It was handcrafted by the local artisan studio "Mirella" directly in the historic winemaking town of Frascati, Italy (located just outside Rome).
This highly unique three-dimensional wall relief portrays the famous legendary character of local wine folklore: "La Pupazza di Frascati" (The Frascati Puppet), recognized by her distinctive three breasts.
THE FOLKLORE:
In the local vineyards of the Castelli Romani region, La Pupazza represents a historic celebration of fertility, abundance, and nourishment.
According to local lore, she was a loving country nursemaid who looked after the children of the vineyard workers during the autumn grape harvest. Her distinct anatomy serves a playful purpose: two breasts to provide milk for the babies, and a central third breast to offer the region’s famous Frascati white wine to help pacify them!
ARTISAN DETAIL & MARKINGS:
The piece is hand-sculpted and entirely hand-painted, displaying a charming rustic aesthetic. Because it is handmade, it features beautiful unevenness and organic tool texturing in the clay that mass-produced factory pieces lack.
The reverse features the authentic workshop studio stamp pressed cleanly into the wet clay prior to firing: "Mireille / FRASCATI | TEL 9423626". The vintage landline phone number format beautifully dates this piece back to the late mid-century artisan era (circa 1970s–1980s).
CONDITION:
• Excellent pre-owned vintage condition
• No chips, fractures, cracks, or he glaze is intact and vibrant, exhibiting or structural repairs
• There is some completely normal surface wear consistent with age and display history
• It comes equipped with a hole at the top to thread a wire or string through to hang
DIMENSIONS:
• Height: 7 inches
• Width at widest point: 4 inches
Add a fantastic, unforgettable conversation piece to your home bar, wine cellar, dining room, or collection of mid-century European art pottery!
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