Diabo Rabequista artesanal de Porfírio Mendes, olaria tradicional de Minho, Portugal

Detalhe da diabo rabequista de Porfírio Mendes, textura e acabamento feito à mão

Diabo Rabequista em contexto, peça artesanal da coleção Ra-Ro de Minho

Porfírio Mendes

Whacky Demonic Fiddler

Name: Whacky Demonic Fiddler
Brand: Ra-Ro
SKU: 04PT07PME0002
Price: 51.20 EUR
Availability: InStock

Rarity scale

SCARCE

What 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 laughter from this demonic violinist with his crazy look. Can you guess what it is made of?

Regular price 51,20 €

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Production Time

Approximately > 3 weeks

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Whacky Demonic Fiddler

51,20 €

History Dimensions Conservation

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.

Frequently asked questions

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.

Length > 14 cm
Width > 14 cm
Height > 39 cm

Handling
Due to the unique, handcrafted nature of this piece, please handle it with care to avoid accidental knocks or drops.

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.

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.

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Early Life and Background

Curiosity, mischievousness and raw talent shaped Porfírio Mendes into the folk cork sculptor he is today, without ever stepping foot in a formal art school. Born in 1967 in Barcelos, Porfírio began working in construction at 14 and ended up building the house where he currently lives.

Beginnings in Art

From construction, he began sculpting miniature stone buildings with intricate mechanics that gave a whimsical touch to his neighbourhood, but it was only in 2013 that he stumbled upon cork as a raw material for the creations that would make him one of a kind.

Technique and Style

He began collecting bottle corks from restaurants and built roosters, devils, saints, witches, you name it, using nothing but a knife, sandpaper and glue. Well, and paint of course — have you looked at the extravagant colours? It’s a naive and humorous work of amusement and nostalgia, an homage to the region’s folk imagery.

Family and Recognition

Family is always by his side: his daughter Adriana curates his online presence and his wife is a lifelong partner. Porfírio’s first solo exhibition, held at Barcelos’s Tourist Office in 2024, named him “a craftsman of soul and heart”. He still works in construction.