Sarronco (Boogeyman)

Name: Sarronco (Boogeyman)
Brand: Ra-Ro
SKU: 04PT07ARA0003
Price: 157.90 EUR
Availability: InStock

157,90 €

Ships immediately · dispatched within 48h

Ra-Ro IndexVery RareWhat is the Ra-Ro Index?

We usually call it Papão, but in Barcelos (Minho, Portugal) they call it Sarronco. That's what the mother of potter António Ramalho and the other adults called him and his friends whenever their mischief got the better of them.

Read the story of the piece

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Handmade byAntónio Ramalho

Dimensions

Length > 23 cm
Width > 18 cm
Height > 19 cm

Care

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.

Shipping and returns

Shipping time: Within 48 hours

We ship to Portugal, the rest of Europe, the US, Canada and Brazil. You have 30 days to return the piece free of charge. Payment is secure and encrypted.

The bogeyman of Barcelos

Sarronco (Boogeyman)

The Sarronco that haunted António Ramalho's childhood, finally given a face.

Story of the piece

Sarronco (Boogeyman)

The potter unveils the bogeyman of his childhood.

Shhh. Shhh. Shhh. Here comes the Bogeyman!

We usually call it the Bogeyman but in Barcelos (Minho, Portugal) they call it Sarronco. It's what the mother of potter António Ramalho and other adults would call him and his friends whenever their mischief got the better of them.

Here. Comes. The Sarronco!

That's enough, we're getting chills.

Perhaps it's a good sign that we don't know what the Bogeyman looks like. That António never knew what the Sarronco looked like. It means it never caught us.

Or did it?

That's enough, seriously.

But it also means that António grew up somewhat haunted by this invisible and shapeless terror from his youth in Barcelos. That's exactly what great art is made of - ghosts, curiosity and, in this case, clay.

Looking closely now at António's Sarronco, it might have given António and his friends a little scare, but then quickly joined in the children's games. It is by far António's most colourful figure to date.

Yes, probably those kids would have had the Sarronco on their side.

Perhaps they even did.

The master potter António Ramalho is the great-grandson of Rosa Ramalho, one of the most popular Portuguese potters to this day, having shaped the popular clay figures of Barcelos throughout the 20th century.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this piece?

Clay figure from Barcelos by António Ramalho, great-grandson of Rosa Ramalho. The Sarronco, the potter's childhood bogeyman, in his most colourful piece.

Which region does it come from?

It comes from Minho, in Portugal. At Ra-Ro, each piece is connected to its origin and the territory where it is born.

Who produces this piece?

It is produced by António Ramalho, the producer with whom Ra-Ro works directly for this piece.

What technique is used?

This piece is made using the pottery technique.

Are all the pieces the same?

Being an artisanal production piece, it may vary slightly from one example to another. This variation is part of its authenticity.

Where do you ship to?

We ship to Portugal, the rest of Europe, the USA, Canada and Brazil.

How does the return process work?

You have 30 days for a free return.

Is the payment secure?

Yes, all payments are processed securely and encrypted.

In numbers

The piece in facts.

Length23cm

About 23 cm long.

Height19cm

About 19 cm tall.

CenturyXXof clay figures

Rosa Ramalho, the maker's great-grandmother, shaped Barcelos figures throughout the 20th century.

Here comes the Sarronco! And it brings colour.

See the piece

See every detail.

Overview

The whole Sarronco

A creature with an open mouth, standing on green legs.

1
Red mouthAn open mouth, ringed with teeth.
2
Green legsGreen glaze speckled with dots.
3
BaseA yellow and ochre base supports the figure.

Detail

Colours and reliefs

Up close, a profusion of shapes and glazes.

1
Black reliefsDark, glossy shapes on the pale body.
2
InitialsLetters incised into the clay of the base.
3
Red dropsRaised touches of red.

The technique

ABOUT THE CLAY

Barcelos clay carries centuries of ceramic tradition, being the material through which generations of artisans have expressed the culture and identity of the Minho region. Handcrafted, each piece maintains the authenticity of this unique cultural heritage.

See this maker’s pieces

Meet the Producer

ROSA RAMALHO'S GREAT‑GRANDSON REINVENTS TRADITION

António Ramalho grew up with clay under his fingernails, inheriting a family legacy that he has reinvented with imagination and unique expressiveness.

discover the story

From the same maker