Cuccù snail

Properties & Qualities

Application

Art Sculpture

Qualities

Colorful Opaque Rigid

Colour

Blue Red Yellow Orange Yellow White

Sample Information

Date of creation

April 27, 2023

Culture & Context

The cuccu is the earliest sound toy of antiquity, shaped like a rooster, found in the tombs of children in Greek times, it became an Easter gift for the children of Matera.A symbol of virility, prosperity and good omen, it served as an amulet against the evil eye.These roosters, in fact, were walled up as protection of the house.Two-tone in sound, it recalls the cuckoo’s song while the coloring with polychrome stripes is conductible to the ribbons tied to the harnesses of horses at the feast of the Madonna della Bruna. Also an engagement gift for the bride-to-be, it represented the man’s economic status.In fact, it is said, “the bigger the cuccù, the bigger the love.”

Process & Production

Clay is molded until the desired product is obtained, allowed to dry, baked in the oven at 960° to obtain the cookie, once baked, decorated with acrylic paints and allowed to dry.