Regina Fruit Moorish Head

Schittone Moorish Head decorated in fruit, referred to as Regina, is handmade and painted in Sicily, Italy. Teste di Moro as seen in The White Lotus.

This piece can be used as a planter, vase or stunning piece of art. This work of art, though famous for the XI century, has been popularized by the hit HBO show The White Lotus, which features the Teste di Moro.

12" tall x 10" wide

Value: $850

Legend of the Moorish Head
The legend of the Moorish head goes back to the XI century, during the Moors' domination in Sicily, and, as in most legends, is once again Cupid's fault (or credit).

One day, a beautiful and honorable young girl living in the Kalsa, the Arabic district of Palermo, was taking care of plants and flowers on the balcony of her house.. Suddenly, a Moor merchant, who was passing by, fell in love with the beautiful girl who immediately returned his love.

They started having a love story until she discovered he already had a wife and children waiting for him in his native land. She went suddenly crazy with jealousy and one night, while he was sleeping she thought of a way to make him stay with her forever!

She, therefore, cut off his head and used it as a vase to grow her beautiful basil plant.

People walking by her balcony started looking at her flourishing plant of basil and became jealous of how well-bloomed her plants were, so they commissioned the potters in Palermo to forge colorful clay head pots wishing to have the same magic green thumb.

Biordi Art Imports