Unique Ceramic Apotropaic Mask, Gennaro Condurso, Italy

An expressive ceramic wall mask from Seminara, the well-known ceramic village in Calabria, made by Gennaro Condurso, member of a ceramic family that has produced traditional pottery for generations.

Dimensions: height 24 cm, width 17 cm, depth 7 cm.

This mask is entirely hand-shaped and glazed in a striking contrast of bright blue, deep grey-black, soft white nuances and a vivid red tongue. The asymmetrical colour composition gives the piece a strong, almost theatrical presence. The open mouth, hollow eyes, sharp teeth, protruding tongue and four horn-like forms enhance its expressive and mythical character.

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

The reverse is signed by the artist and has an opening for hanging, making it easy to place on the wall.

Today, this mask is a powerful decorative wall object: playful, raw and highly expressive. A striking accent among ceramics, folk art, wabi-sabi objects or contemporary art.