Colapesce head, vases, Sicilian artisan ceramics, design, home decoration, artistic vase, Moor's head, Sicilian craftsmanship

Head Myths and Legends,
Colapesce h22 l17 p14

splendid representation of contained dimensions, absolutely entirely hand-modelled by the precious hands of a Sicilian artist.
It can also be used as a vase.
Perfect for those looking for something different, original and unobtainable.
already an element of very high artistic value that can be further enhanced by a plant placed inside
because it too, like the other heads, is empty inside.



Myth

The myth of Colapesce

The legend of Colapesce is a truly ancient tale, originating in the songs and stories of ancestors.

The legend of Colapesce tells of Nicola, known as Cola, the son of a simple fisherman who lived in Messina. Cola was a true lover of the sea, so much so that he spent his days swimming like a fish. It's no coincidence that he was nicknamed Colapesce.

His remarkable swimming skills pushed him to explore the wonders of the sea, to find treasures to bring back to the mainland.

Particularly intrigued, Emperor Frederick II of Swabia called him to his palace to challenge him to a swimming competition.

The aim was to find, on the seabed, a cup that the sovereign himself had previously thrown into the sea.

That's how Colapesce, diving, managed to recover the object.

Frederick II then decided to challenge him again, choosing an even more remote location, where the water was even deeper.

In this case, the object that needed to be recovered was the emperor's crown. In this challenge too, Colapesce emerged victorious, bringing the object to the surface.

But Colapesce was put to the test again by Frederick II, who threw a ring into a very treacherous part of the sea.

Here, Colapese, while swimming toward the depths, noticed something strange: three columns. Their purpose was to support Sicily and keep it from sinking.

However, one of these columns was so damaged that it alarmed Colapesce and prompted him to make a decision: to replace it. Thus, it never resurfaced, leaving his family, the emperor, and the entire court stunned.

According to legend, Colapesce is still there, forcefully supporting Sicily. It's also said that the earth tremors in the areas of Messina and Catania are due to Colapesce's movements as he was trying to change sides.

Here is Colapesce's story in the Sicilian dialect version:

The people called him Colapisci
because he was into the sea like a fish
Dunni Vinia doesn't know anything about it
perhaps he was the son of God Nittunu.

'Ngnornu a Cola u re fics call
and Cola di lu mari curri e veni.

O Cola lu me reign in scandagghiari
supra cchi pidamentu si susteni


Colapisci curri e và.

Vaiu e tornu maestà.

Cussì throws itself into the Colapisci seas

and suddenly disappear immediately

but after a while, there's something new

to the rich Colapisci gives.


Your Majesty, your lands
stand on three pillars
and he made a lot of trimennu,
unu già si stà rumpennu.

O destinu miu infelici

who predicts misfortune for me.

Chianci u king, how do you do it

sulu tu mi poi sarvari.



Over the past many days

Colapisci doesn't come back

and I'm waiting for him at the marina

the rulers and the origin.

Then you can hear the sound

of the sea’s surfaces.

Your Majesty! Here you are, here you are

Majesty ccà sugnu ccà.

‘nta lu funnu di lu mari

that you can't turn around anymore

you brought the Madonna

why don't you hold this big ass up?

otherwise it will break

and Sicily will disappear.



Over the past many years

Colapisci is always ddà

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

Colapisci is always ddà





Italian translation:

People called him Colapesce
because he was in the sea like a fish
Nobody knew where he came from
perhaps he was the son of the god Neptune.

One day the king called Cola
and Cola came running from the sea.

O Cola you must explore my kingdom
on what foundation it stands.

Colapesce runs and goes
I'm going and coming back, your majesty.

This is how Colapesce dives into the sea
and immediately disappears under the waves
but after a while, this novelty
gives to his king Colapesce.

Your Majesty, your lands
they stand on three pillars
and the very terrible fact,
one is already breaking.

Oh my unhappy fate
what misfortune you predict for me.

The king is crying, what should I do?
only you can save me.

Many days have passed
Colapesce is not returning
and they wait for him at the marina
the king and queen.

Then you hear his voice
from the sea to the surface.

Your Majesty! Here I am, here I am
Your Majesty! Here I am, here I am
at the bottom of the sea
that I can no longer go back
you pray to the Madonna
that can support this column
otherwise it will break
and Sicily will disappear

Many years have passed
Colapesce is always there
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Colapesce is always there