The Legend of Teste di Moro

These handmade, hand-painted ceramic heads spotted in the new hit season of 'The White Lotus' have an interesting story behind them. The Teste di Moro, as they're traditionally called, have decorated the balconies and rooms of many Sicilian palaces, dating back to the 11th century.

The legend tells of a woman who was living in the Arabic district of Palermo. while she was tending to her plants on the balcony, a Moor merchant passed by and it was love at first sight. The woman returned his love, but shortly after that moment, she discovered that he would soon leave her to return to his country where he had a wife and children waiting for him.

Driven by jealousy, the woman found a way to keep him with her forever: she cut off his head and used it as a vase to grow her basil plants in. Grieving her loss, her tears made the basil flourish. People noticed her thriving plants and were inspired to create their own colourful head-shaped vases in an attempt to achieve the same success with their plants.

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Check out our limited selection of unique, handcrafted Teste di Moro at our Cheesery!