Posted 8 years ago
BasketCase
(4 items)
Growing up in a world of Italian ceramics that my ancestors brought over from their home country was nerve wracking, as I was an 'overactive' child and was carefully moved away from their delicate relics on a daily basis. I didn't get it.
I don't collect anything and have maybe 10 unrelated 'things' that inspire me greatly.
This character, the Fishmonger, reminds me when I was a little girl in Boston, the fish man, rag man... everyone 'announced' their presence for whatever they were selling or wanting. I see them all in my Fishmongers face.
However, I am haunted daily, and for many years of failed research, who made you!
Yes, I know your Italian, it says so under your feet. And yes, you are amazing.
To me, this is a masterpiece of 'cookie cutter clay' layered, folded, detailed beyond belief. The boots! The coat! How authentic!! ..ok calm down. I get like this when I talk about him.
What I would LOVE to know is the process, artist, material, and of course, the Artist of this labor of love BEFORE IT BITES THE DUST!
Thank you.... (and yes I am grinning really hard)
Looking at him he is hand built from a porcelain clay. Isn't he wonderful!
I'm having trouble reading the name - APENA- ????
Hi, Yes he is, thank you!
Ya that's the same problem I've had for over a decade its ARENA-X?CCA. So this is what I'll do, add another picture.
I've had a bit of a look around and I think this may be a figurine by G. Arena of Sciacca, a small town in Sicily. Sciacca is sometimes written as Xacca (and pronounced that way).
I have seen other works with this name and although a bit different they are still hand built and characterful. All the others I have found have been colour glazed.
As much as I could find sorry!
Thats HUGE!!! Sciacca, Xacca...G. Arena!! This is like finding a biological parent in your senior years before they die lol! DRAMA...as my mother, alive, is from Sicily makes it more special.
Whats your opinion on giving the boy a good wash? Not, a good idea? As all the 'dark stuff' comes off and its dimensional element is gone. I wondered if it was on purpose. Odd. I did start to wash him once and it comes off.. I stopped immediately when the fish turned all white.. And I imagined an artist screaming 'NOO THATS HIS PATINA!!!' haaaaaa I was a wreck for days. That was years ago.
Okay Racer4four... You are a love, and I thank you..if your ears are ringing thats me braggin' on ya! Be safe!
Glad to help and how good is the family connection!
Maybe you will just need to dust him....or leave him alone......I always say dust is nature's preservative......there's lots around here!
I knew he was Italian, but who woodathunk Sicilian?!
You are soo right! same here with the dust, esp., after I pulled down a wall of plaster today DUST is not the even close to the mess I have.
Now after all is said and done.. all I can think about is going to Sciacca and go SHOPPING!!! LOL
My dad has a large piece by the same artist, featuring a whole table of fishmongers. It was a gift to my great grandfather decades ago by a client who couldn’t pay his fee (he was an attorney). When my great grandfather died, it was the piece my dad made sure to he kept because he always loved it as a boy. We were just tripping to research the history of the piece and came across your post! I can send you a photo of the piece and the label!