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Porfírio Mendes
Handmade byPorfírio Mendes
Whacky Demonic Fiddler
51,20 €
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Ra-Ro IndexScarceWhat is the Ra-Ro Index?Even today, every time we look at this sculpture by Porfírio Mendes, we either laugh or find ourselves the target of the laughter of this demonic, wild-looking violinist. Can you guess what it is made of?
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Handmade byPorfírio MendesDimensions
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Shipping time: Approximately > 3 weeks
We ship worldwide. You have 14 days to return the piece free of charge. Payment is secure and encrypted.
Cork devil
Whacky Demonic Fiddler
A devilish fiddler for frights and delights.
The story
A construction worker by day and a *cork sculptor by night*, Porfírio Mendes makes everything with cork, love and a *kindly mischievous streak*. This wild-eyed fiddler is born from chiselled cork painted with *at least three coats*. It is funny, it is strange, it is kitsch.
Story of the piece
Whacky Demonic Fiddler
Cork-made Devil for fright and delight
Still today, every time we lock eyes with this sculpture made by Porfírio Mendes, it’s either laugh or be laughed at by the whacky demonic fiddler. Can you guess what it is made from?
Everything the artist does is made from cork, love and a kind-hearted sense of mischievousness. An homage to a rural Portugal inhabited by saints and demons, farmers and merrymakers, popular songs and wine.
Based in Barcelos (Minho, Portugal), Porfírio is a construction worker by day and cork sculptor by night - because cement was too dull a resource for someone with such a wild imagination. We wish you could see him in action. He has so much fun doing this that he is the first to tell us that he knows many of his ideas are bad but still amusing to be thought about. The good ones, though, are given shape in meticulously chiseled cork and painted at least thrice.
It’s funny. It’s weird. It’s kitsch. It’s all of that and that’s why we love it.
In numbers
The piece in facts.
Height39cm
The figure stands 39 cm tall.
Coats3coats
Painted with at least three coats.
Cork since2013
In 2013 Porfírio discovered cork as his raw material.
A Portugal of saints and demons, folk songs and wine.
See the piece
See every detail.
Overview
The fiddler
Full length, with horns and instrument.
- 1HornsBlack, tall and curved.
- 2HairRed and tousled.
- 3InstrumentPlayed with a wild air.
- 4BaseThe figure stands on a rustic base.
Detail
The musician
Teeth bared and instrument in hand.
- 1HornPainted glossy black.
- 2TeethA mischievous grin.
- 3InstrumentNeck and pegs in painted cork.
Back
From behind
Horns and hair seen from behind.
- 1HornsSymmetrical and upright.
- 2HairVoluminous red fibre.
- 3BaseThe figure stands on a rustic base.
Face
The face
Wide eyes and sharp teeth.
- 1EyesA wild-eyed look.
- 2TeethWhite, painted by hand.
- 3HairRed, in loose curls.
About the piece
Dimensions and care.
Dimensions
Care
Shipping time
Meet the Producer
A DEVIL CARVED WITH SOUL
Porfírio Mendes, a folk sculptor from Barcelos, crafts these pieces with a blend of cork, love and mischievous wit. Without formal artistic training, he discovered in cork the ideal material for his irreverent and humorous creations, which pay tribute to the region's rural culture.
discover the story
The journey
Porfírio Mendes
Early Life and Background
Beginnings in Art
Technique and Style
Family and Recognition
What Porfírio Mendes creates are not just sculptures: they are pieces of popular culture, full of humour and irreverence. Each piece tells a story, connecting the rural past to the present through art. It's funny, it's strange, it's kitsch, and that's why we love it. A tribute to a Portugal of saints and demons, farmers and revellers, which lives on in our memories and hearts. His works transcend time, being both contemporary and timeless, shared with soul in every detail.
Questions
Everything you need to know.
What is this piece?
Sculpture of a fiddler devil in cork, hand-carved and painted by Porfírio Mendes, an artisan from Barcelos, in the Minho. Portuguese folk art.
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 Porfírio Mendes, the producer Ra-Ro works with directly for this piece.
What technique is used?
This piece is made using the Cortiçaria 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.
Take home the devil that makes us laugh.
51,20 € · available to ship
Buy nowWorldwide shipping14 days for free returnsSecure payment
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