Medusa

Name: Medusa
Brand: Ra-Ro
SKU: 04PT07ARA0001
Price: 53.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

53,00 €

Ships immediately · dispatched within 48h

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We found António's Medusa to be a spirited and visionary fusion of ancient Greek tragedy with the popular 20th-century clay figures of Barcelos. We would even dare to say: a kind of unique piece of Greek-Barcelos mythology. Our apologies to all art historians.

Read the story of the piece

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Free returns within 30 days
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Handmade byAntónio Ramalho

Dimensions

Diameter > 12 cm
Height > 29 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.

Story of the piece

Medusa

The clay monster that blends Greek mythology with the mythology of Barcelos.

The master 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.

It was António Ramalho's mother, also a potter, who created this Medusa, now crafted by the hands of a man who grew up with a very conscious doubt about his heritage: where do I fit in? Does my work have a place on the same shelves as these incredible women who taught me everything I know?

It's a lot of pressure. But sometimes, pressure simply gives way to talent. So - Medusa.

With snakes in place of hair, so the myth goes. Her face so hideous - or, depending on the version, her face so beautiful - that anyone who looked at her would instantly turn to stone.

We can't stop looking at her, as crafted by potter António Ramalho in his workshop in Barcelos (Minho, Portugal). Far from turning us to stone, the piece made us smile.

It is a work of love and homage, with the vitreous quality and texture of the piece revealing themselves as some of António's unique and most distinctive characteristics. He has every reason to be a proud bearer of this incredible family legacy.

We found the Medusa to be a witty and visionary fusion of ancient Greek tragedy with the popular 20th-century clay figures of Barcelos. We even dare to say: a kind of unique piece of Greco-Barcelos mythology. Our apologies to all art historians.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this piece?

Medusa in Barcelos clay by António Ramalho, great-grandson of Rosa Ramalho. A fusion of Greek mythology with Barcelos figurines, with vitreous texture.

Which region does it come from?

It comes from Minho, 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 identical?

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.

Barcelos clay figure

Medusa

The Medusa of Greek mythology, shaped in clay in Barcelos.

In numbers

The piece in facts.

Generations4generations

From Rosa Ramalho, his great-grandmother, to António.

Years old8years

When he sold his first little clay horse to a tourist.

The return2004

The year he came back to Barcelos to reinvent the family tradition.

Look at her. You won’t turn to stone.

See the piece

See every detail.

Overview

The Medusa

Snakes instead of hair, as the myth demands.

1
The snakesEach serpent is shaped by hand, with its own eyes.
2
The faceNeither horrible nor beautiful: impossible to look away.
3
The bodyDecorated by hand under the glaze.

Up close

The face

The expression that, according to the myth, turned people to stone.

1
SerpentsA living crown of clay.
2
The gazeOpen eyes and mouth, full of expression.
3
ArmsCoiled like the serpents themselves.

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

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