The clay artist reveals the boogeyman of his childhood.
We usually call him Papão (Boogeyman), but in Barcelos (Minho, Portugal), they call him Sarronco. That's what the potter António Ramalho's mother and the other adults called him and his friends whenever mischief got the better of them.
Here. Comes. The Sarronco!
That's enough, we're already getting chills.
Maybe it's a good sign that we don't know what the Boogeyman looks like. That António never knew what the Sarronco looked like. It means he never caught us.
Or did he?
Enough, seriously.
But it also means that António grew up a little haunted by this invisible, shapeless terror from his Barcelos youth. That is exactly what great art is made of - ghosts, curiosity, and, in this case, clay.
Looking closely at António's Sarronco now, perhaps he might have given António and his friends a little fright, but immediately joined the children's games afterwards. It is by far António's most colourful figure to date.
Yes, those kids probably had the Sarronco on their side.
Maybe they did.
The masterful potter António Ramalho is the great-grandson of Rosa Ramalho, one of the most popular Portuguese potters to this day, who shaped the popular clay figures of Barcelos throughout the 20th century.
Frequently asked questions
What is this piece?
Barcelos clay figure by António Ramalho, great-grandson of Rosa Ramalho. The Sarronco, the potter's childhood bogeyman, in his most colourful piece.
Which region is it from?
It comes from Minho, in Portugal. At Ra-Ro, every piece is tied to its origin and to the territory where it is made.
Who makes this piece?
It is made by António Ramalho, the producer Ra-Ro works with directly for this piece.
What technique is used?
This piece is made using the Olaria technique.
Are all pieces identical?
As a handmade piece, it may vary slightly from one example to another. That variation is part of its authenticity.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes, Ra-Ro ships worldwide.
How do returns work?
You have 14 days for a free return.
Is payment secure?
Yes, all payments are processed securely and encrypted.
Length > 23 cm
Width > 18 cm
Height > 19 cm
Handling
Due to the unique, handcrafted nature of this piece, please handle it with care to avoid accidental knocks or drops. Avoid sudden changes in temperature, as this can cause cracking.
Storage
If used for decorative purposes, use a dry cotton cloth or soft brush to remove dust.
Store in a safe place where it is protected from possible impacts.
