Moor's Head Vase Karim

The testa di Moro — the Moor's head — is one of the most iconic forms in Sicilian and Southern Italian ceramic tradition. Our artisans in Vietri sul Mare sculpt each one by hand, building up the features, the turban, and the decorative crown piece by piece before painting and glazing the whole thing.

Karim has a dark face with carefully modelled features: a beard, a moustache, and golden-brown eyes that give the piece real presence. The turban is white, sculpted with deep fabric folds and draping. What makes this version distinctive are the teal-green ceramic orbs — like stylised pomegranates — set into the crown and along the sides of the headdress. Matching teal ring earrings frame the face. Between the orbs at the top, sculpted acanthus leaves rise up to complete the crown.

At 30 cm tall, Karim works well on a bookshelf, a mantelpiece, or a console table. The open top of the crown means you can use it as a vase for dried flowers or a small plant, though most people simply display it as a sculptural piece. It's a conversation starter — people always want to know the story behind the Moor's heads.

Part of our Moor's Heads Collection, each piece is unique. The sculpting and painting are done entirely by hand, so expect small differences in the facial features, the draping, and the colour of the glaze from one head to the next.