Straight from the sun-drenched hillsides of Taormina, this exuberant hand-painted majolica rooster pitcher is a genuine piece of Sicilian ceramic craft.
Marked on the base from Sugar e Spice, a beloved ceramics shop in Taormina, Sicily, and standing 8.5" tall and holding half a liter, it is a fully functional pitcher — perfect for water, wine, lemonade, or olive oil — as well as a wonderfully characterful decorative object.
The rooster form is classic Italian majolica: a plump, round-bodied bird with an open beak spout, expressive hand-painted eyes, and a russet comb and wattles. The body is decorated in the traditional Taormina style: a cobalt blue band of white scrollwork at the shoulder, and below it a lush arrangement of yellow lemons and green leaves against a white ground with navy blue dot-and-scroll motifs. The handle is solid cobalt blue.
Every brushstroke is done by hand, giving the piece the slight variations and warmth that distinguish genuine artisan work from mass production.
Details: • Maker: Sugar e Spice, Taormina, Sicily • Style: Sicilian majolica, Taormina pattern • Design: Hand-painted rooster with lemon and leaf motif, cobalt blue accents • Material: Glazed ceramic / majolica • Height: 8.5" • Capacity: 0.5 liters • Function: Pitcher / jug — fully functional • Condition: Very good used condition. Small chip on the beak tip (see photos) — does not affect function or display. No other damage.
Sicily is the most vibrant center for majolica production in Italy today, with the tradition rooted in medieval Arab influence. New glaze-making techniques brought to Sicily from North Africa produced the dazzling colors that define the style. Legend has it that the Italian rooster pitcher brings good luck, making this as meaningful a gift as it is a beautiful one.
