Vases in terracotta and engobes
Cum Cordia
An Exacting Idea of Peace
2026
Text by Paolo Casicci
The boundary marker (cippo, in Italian) belongs to a family of objects that we have learned to interpret in reverse. For centuries, it was used to mark a boundary, yet its purpose was never to separate. Rather, it was to bring a dispute to an end. A stone, a column, a presence placed between two properties to commemorate an agreement that had been reached. The boundary marker did not appear at the beginning of a conflict; it came afterward, once disagreement had found a shared resolution and the memory of that understanding was entrusted to something more enduring than words.
This distinction is essential.
Today, the notion of a border immediately evokes barriers, exclusion, and division. The boundary marker, however, belongs to a different tradition. It speaks not of separation but of coexistence. It is the tangible sign of a hard-won balance.
Patrizia Italiano's terracotta works take their cue from this ancient history and bring it into the present. They are neither archaeological quotations nor nostalgic revivals of historical forms. Instead, they explore the deeper meaning of an object originally conceived to safeguard a relationship—to remind us that peace does not lie in the absence of difference, but in our ability to acknowledge those differences and live with them.
The title of the installation, Cum Cordia, recalls the etymological roots of the word concordia: "with the heart." It encapsulates a demanding vision of peace—not the pacification imposed by force or fear, nor the silence that follows surrender, but the outcome of effort, of a shared measure discovered without erasing diversity.
The figures shaped by Patrizia Italiano seem to embody this possibility.
They possess something of votive figures and something of archaeological finds. They belong to the language of symbols while retaining a striking human presence. Their essential faces, compact forms, and delicate balance between gravity and lightness place them in a space where ritual meets everyday life.
Terracotta itself becomes part of this narrative. It is earth transformed by fire—a material that carries within it the landscape, the work of human hands, and the time required for transformation. Humble yet profoundly powerful, it is capable of enduring through the centuries without losing its evocative force.
In Cum Cordia, the boundary marker thus regains a role that extends beyond the notion of the border itself. It becomes a witness: a presence reminding us that every form of coexistence requires care, attention, and mutual recognition. Looking at these works, one comes to understand that the true opposite of conflict is not uniformity, but agreement—and that every agreement, if it is to endure, must itself be carefully preserved.
Patrizia Italiano creates handmade ceramic collections that reinterpret the rich Sicilian tradition through a contemporary and distinctive design language. Based in her atelier in Palermo, each piece is entirely crafted by hand, one by one, following a slow and conscious production process that guarantees authenticity, quality, and uniqueness.
Her works go beyond decoration: sculptural heads, vases, and anthropomorphic figures become strong visual statements with a clear narrative identity. The iconic reinterpretations of the traditional Moor’s heads stand out for their originality—free from folkloric clichés and industrial repetition—offering refined, ironic, and character-driven objects that balance heritage and modern design.
Every piece is the result of a fully manual process, from clay modeling to glazing and hand decoration. Variations in color, form, and detail are an integral part of the work and represent a key value: no two objects are the same. This makes Patrizia Italiano’s collections particularly appealing to a market increasingly focused on limited editions, craftsmanship, and traceable, meaningful products.
Inspired by Sicily’s landscapes and culture—Palermo’s vibrant energy and the raw beauty of Filicudi island—her imagery draws from the Mediterranean world: the sea, marine creatures, nature, and mythological references. The result is a poetic yet contemporary aesthetic that fits seamlessly into modern interiors, luxury residential spaces, and high-end contract or interior design projects.
Already showcased and appreciated internationally—from Milan to New York, Tokyo, and the United Arab Emirates—Patrizia Italiano offers a production that is coherent, recognizable, and scalable without ever becoming mass-produced. Her collections are ideal for galleries, design-focused retailers, concept stores, and buyers seeking Italian handcrafted ceramics with strong identity, storytelling value, and timeless appeal.