Scheda Oggetti
Schede catalografiche di base compilate da Alessandro Grossi
Collections catalogue
The Museum Collections
Objects of material culture and folk imagination preserved by the Museum: search by keyword or browse by section.
166 records found.
Record no. 1
Bronze funerary mask
Bronze funerary mask, oval in shape with a pronounced receding hairline and stylized features. The surface bears a green-brown patina typical of aged metal oxidation. The expression is…
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- Category
- Ritual and funerary object
- Subcategory
- Funerary mask
- Materials
- Bronze
- Technique
- Casting and chasing
- Dimensions
- Height approx. 30 cm; width approx. 20 cm
- Dating
- Ancient period (estimated)
- Location
- Museo Italiano dell’Immaginario Folklorico
- Condition
- Good, with uniform patina and slight oxidation marks
- Interpretation and context
- Bronze funerary masks were widespread in various regions of ancient Italy, and in Garfagnana there are traces of ritual practices linked to ancestor worship and remembrance of the dead. Beyond its protective function, the mask evoked continuity between the human and symbolic face, representing the threshold between the world of the living and the dead.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
Record no. 2
African wooden sculpture
Folk Figures and NarrativesWooden sculpture depicting a stylized human figure with a large head and geometric features. The face shows closed eyes, a triangular nose, and a subtle mouth. The upper…
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- Category
- Ritual and artistic figure
- Provenance
- Donated by Laura Capelli
- Materials
- Carved wood
- Technique
- Hand carving and smoothing with traditional tools
- Dimensions
- approx. 30 × 10 × 8 cm
- Dating
- 20th century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Folk Figures and Narratives Section
- Condition
- Good; surface with natural patina and slight signs of age
- Interpretation and context
- African sculpture of votive or symbolic nature, likely connected to fertility or protection rituals. The essential form and serene facial expression evoke spirituality and inner balance.
The figure shows stylistic affinities with Ashanti and Akan votive sculptures from West Africa, characterized by symbolic proportions and serene faces representing ideal beauty and spiritual protection. - Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
Record no. 3
Polychrome African wooden mask
Folk Figures and NarrativesWooden mask painted in deep blue, with geometric and symmetrical features. The face shows half-closed eyes, a triangular nose, and a circular mouth with radial carvings. Two engraved…
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- Category
- Ritual and artistic object
- Provenance
- Donated by Laura Capelli
- Materials
- Carved and painted wood
- Technique
- Hand carving and painting with natural and acrylic pigments
- Dimensions
- approx. 25 × 12 × 10 cm
- Dating
- 20th century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Folk Figures and Narratives Section
- Condition
- Good; pigments and surface well preserved
- Interpretation and context
- African ceremonial mask, likely associated with protection or passage rituals. The blue color symbolizes spirituality and wisdom, while the geometric carvings represent identity and tribal belonging.
The mask shows affinities with Fang and Kota traditions of Central Africa, known for geometric forms, stylized faces, and symbolic colors. The engraved crosses and circular mouth echo apotropaic motifs common in equatorial cultures. - Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
Record no. 4
Polychrome African wooden mask with ocular symbol
Folk Figures and NarrativesWooden mask painted in deep blue, with an elongated face and geometric features. The eyes are small and oval, painted white, while at the center of the forehead…
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- Category
- Ritual and artistic object
- Provenance
- Donated by Laura Capelli
- Materials
- Carved and painted wood
- Technique
- Hand carving and painting with natural and acrylic pigments
- Dimensions
- approx. 28 × 12 × 10 cm
- Dating
- 20th century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Folk Figures and Narratives Section
- Condition
- Good; pigments and structure well preserved
- Interpretation and context
- African ceremonial mask, likely associated with protection or spiritual vision rituals. The ocular symbol represents the ability to see beyond the material world, while the blue color evokes sacredness and knowledge.
The mask shows affinities with Fang and Kota traditions of Central Africa, where the symbolic eye and vertical form indicate spiritual power and vigilance. The polychrome decorations and toothed mouth refer to apotropaic functions and rites of passage. - Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
Record no. 4
Small Valletto
Smaller basket than the “Valletto”, featuring a dense and regular weave. The mix of willow and ash ensures flexibility and durability.
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- Category
- Domestic and agricultural basket
- Provenance
- Garfagnana area, Province of Lucca
- Materials
- Willow (lateral parts), ash wood (central parts)
- Technique
- Handwoven circular structure with reinforced rim
- Dating
- 20th century (first half)
- Function
- Used for collecting and carrying small agricultural or household items
- Location
- Museo Italiano dell’Immaginario Folklorico
- Condition
- Good, with minor signs of use
- Interpretation and context
- Object of rural craftsmanship, symbol of domestic economy and sustainable use of natural resources.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
Record no. 5
Terracotta Mask
Folk Figures and NarrativesTerracotta mask depicting a stylized male face with large eyes, pronounced nose, and carved beard. The surface shows natural shades of the material and manual workmanship marks that…
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- Category
- Artistic and symbolic object
- Provenance
- Donated by Alfonso Bertucci
- Materials
- Terracotta
- Technique
- Hand modeling and carving
- Dimensions
- approx. 25 × 18 × 10 cm
- Dating
- 20th–21st century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Folk Figures and Narratives Section
- Condition
- Excellent; minor traces of craftsmanship
- Interpretation and context
- The mask, donated by Alfonso Bertucci, recalls ritual and theatrical figures of folk tradition. The face, poised between smile and mystery, evokes the dual nature of storytelling: human and symbolic. It stands as a mark of memory and identity, linking contemporary art to the roots of myth.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
Record no. 6
Oriental Ceremonial Mask
Folk Figures and NarrativesBrightly colored ceremonial mask with zoomorphic features and exaggerated expressions. The yellow face, framed by a crown adorned with colored gems, shows large eyes, tusks, and green and…
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- Category
- Ritual and decorative object
- Provenance
- Donated by Alfonso Bertucci
- Materials
- Painted and lacquered wood
- Technique
- Carving, polychrome painting, and manual decoration
- Dimensions
- approx. 35 × 30 × 15 cm
- Dating
- 20th century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Folk Figures and Narratives Section
- Condition
- Good; minor abrasions and age marks
- Interpretation and context
- The mask, donated by Alfonso Bertucci, embodies the symbolic power of Eastern ritual figures. Its vivid colors and dynamic shapes evoke the struggle between good and evil, protection from spirits, and the celebration of life. It stands as a bridge between folk art and spirituality.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
Record no. 7
Asian Ritual Mask
Folk Figures and NarrativesRitual mask painted black with bulging eyes, open mouth, and prominent white and red teeth. The forehead features a golden motif with a central red element. Dark hair…
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- Category
- Ritual and theatrical object
- Provenance
- Donated by Alfonso Bertucci
- Materials
- Painted wood, natural pigments, hair and plant fibers
- Technique
- Hand carving and painting with organic material applications
- Dimensions
- approx. 30 × 20 × 15 cm
- Dating
- 20th century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Folk Figures and Narratives Section
- Condition
- Good; minor signs of wear
- Interpretation and context
- The mask, donated by Alfonso Bertucci, represents a demonic or protective figure typical of Asian ceremonies. Used in dances or rituals to ward off evil spirits, it embodies strength and transformation. Its fierce face becomes a symbol of vital energy and defense against evil.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
Record no. 8
Asian Theatrical Mask
Folk Figures and NarrativesRed painted wooden mask with large protruding eyes, arched black eyebrows, and well-defined white teeth. The upper part is decorated with red and green geometric motifs resembling a…
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- Category
- Ritual and theatrical object
- Provenance
- Donated by Alfonso Bertucci
- Materials
- Painted wood
- Technique
- Hand carving and painting with natural pigments
- Dimensions
- approx. 30 × 20 × 12 cm
- Dating
- 20th century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Folk Figures and Narratives Section
- Condition
- Good; signs of wear and minor abrasions
- Interpretation and context
- The mask, donated by Alfonso Bertucci, represents the vitality and expressive power of Eastern folk theatre. The face, poised between irony and unease, embodies the tension between human and supernatural, between ritual gesture and symbolic storytelling.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
Record no. 9
African Dark Wood Mask
Folk Figures and NarrativesDark wooden mask depicting a stylized face with elongated eyes, closed mouth, and carved decorations on the face and forehead. The geometric lines and side engravings recall tribal…
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- Category
- Ritual and artistic object
- Provenance
- Donated by Alfonso Bertucci
- Materials
- Carved dark wood
- Technique
- Hand carving and polishing
- Dimensions
- approx. 40 × 20 × 12 cm
- Dating
- 20th century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Folk Figures and Narratives Section
- Condition
- Good; slight surface abrasions
- Interpretation and context
- The mask, donated by Alfonso Bertucci, embodies the expressive power of African art, where the face becomes a bridge between human and spiritual realms. The deep carving and symmetry of forms evoke rituality and the strength of the symbol, linking identity and mystery.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
Record no. 10
Wooden Mask
Folk Figures and NarrativesNatural wooden mask depicting a stylized human face with hollow eyes, prominent nose, and open mouth. The upper part features a helmet or headdress with carved side decorations,…
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- Category
- Artistic and symbolic object
- Provenance
- Donated by Alfonso Bertucci
- Materials
- Carved wood
- Technique
- Hand carving from a single block of wood
- Dimensions
- approx. 35 × 20 × 10 cm
- Dating
- 20th century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Folk Figures and Narratives Section
- Condition
- Good; slight wear and natural color variations
- Interpretation and context
- The mask, donated by Alfonso Bertucci, embodies the strength and memory of craftsmanship. The face, carved with essential lines, evokes ritual meaning and the connection between man and nature. It stands as a symbol of identity and expression, where wood becomes the voice and face of myth.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
Record no. 11
Oriental Decorative Mask
Folk Figures and NarrativesPainted ceramic mask depicting a stylized female face with fair skin, eyes outlined in red and black, and red lips. A small mark adorns the forehead, while the…
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- Category
- Artistic and decorative object
- Provenance
- Donated by Alfonso Bertucci
- Materials
- Painted ceramic
- Technique
- Hand modeling and painting with vivid colors
- Dimensions
- approx. 25 × 20 × 8 cm
- Dating
- 20th–21st century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Folk Figures and Narratives Section
- Condition
- Excellent; colors well preserved
- Interpretation and context
- The mask, donated by Alfonso Bertucci, represents the grace and symbolism of the female figure in Eastern tradition. The vivid colors and facial symmetry evoke ritual beauty and spiritual serenity, turning the object into an emblem of harmony and protection.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi