Moor's Head Vase - Karim

Karim is a male testa di Moro — one of the larger pieces in our Moor's heads collection, standing about 40 cm tall. He is entirely hand-sculpted and painted by our artisans in Vietri sul Mare, and the monochrome blue-and-white palette gives him a look that is both traditional and clean enough for modern interiors.

The face has a full beard and moustache, with features painted in soft blue washes over white ceramic. He wears a draped turban with delicate blue scrollwork and ornamental details, and the crown on top is decorated with rounded blue ceramic spheres. Blue pendant jewels hang at the forehead and around the neck. The whole effect is reminiscent of classic Delft ceramics, but with the sculptural depth that is unique to southern Italian teste di Moro.

At 40 cm, Karim is a substantial piece. He works well on a floor beside a fireplace, on a wide shelf, or as a statement on a dining room sideboard. The top is open, so you can use him as a vase, though most people prefer to display him as he is.

Because he is shaped and painted completely by hand, each Karim will differ slightly in the intensity of the blue, the facial details, and the positioning of the decorative elements. No two are identical.