Scheda Oggetti
Schede catalografiche di base compilate da Alessandro Grossi
Gli oggetti qui schedati sono rappresentazioni fisiche delle figure dell’immaginario o strumenti di attività lavorative della civiltà contadina legati prevalentemente alla tessitura e/o all’intrecciatura. Le statuette prevalentemente in terracotta sono il risultato di attività scolastiche con gli alunni dei Licei Artistici della provincia di Lucca e ripropongono storie e personaggi dell’immaginario folklorico.
The Museum Collections
Objects of material culture and folk imagination preserved by the Museum: search by keyword or browse by section.
166 records found.
Maschera decorativa policroma (Museum record – Polychrome decorative mask)
Folk Figures and NarrativesSmall mask with elongated oval shape and curved upper tip. The surface is decorated with vivid colors – red, gold, and black – featuring large circular eyes with…
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- Category
- Artistic and decorative object
- Provenance
- Donated by Alfonso Bertucci
- Materials
- Painted and gilded ceramic
- Technique
- Hand modeling and painting with acrylic colors and glossy finish
- Dimensions
- approx. 18 × 12 × 6 cm
- Dating
- 20th–21st century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Folk Figures and Narratives Section
- Condition
- Excellent; colors well preserved and surface intact
- Interpretation and context
- The mask evokes totemic or apotropaic figures, symbolizing energy and protection. The use of red and gold suggests vitality and sacredness, while the stylized form recalls folk and theatrical traditions.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
The Buffardello Incense Holder
Spirits and Presences of GarfagnanaClay sculpture depicting the Buffardello as an incense holder. The figure, with pointed ears, flowing beard and a wide hat, rises from a bowl decorated with golden spiral…
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- Category
- Sculpture / Folkloric art object
- Provenance
- “A. Passaglia” Art High School – Lucca
- Materials
- Molded and painted clay with natural pigments
- Technique
- Hand modeling and cold decoration with oxides and earth pigments
- Dimensions
- approx. 18 × 15 × 15 cm
- Dating
- 21st century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Spirits and Presences of Garfagnana Section
- Condition
- Excellent; slight internal smoke traces due to use
- Interpretation and context
- The Buffardello Incense Holder transforms the mischievous sprite into a benevolent figure that purifies the space. The work blends Garfagnana folklore with the contemporary creativity of the “Passaglia” Art High School students.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
Bird Figure in Terracotta Niche
Sculpture depicting a stylized bird with elongated beak and closed eyes, placed inside a niche or rocky cavity. The surface has a natural texture reminiscent of stone and…
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- Category
- Sculpture / Artistic object
- Provenance
- Passaglia Art High School of Lucca
- Materials
- Molded and unpainted terracotta
- Technique
- Hand modeling and light engraving
- Dimensions
- approx. 25 × 20 × 15 cm
- Dating
- 21st century
- Location
- Museo Italiano dell’Immaginario Folklorico
- Condition
- Good; slight irregularities due to handcrafting
- Interpretation and context
- The piece evokes the theme of shelter and natural sacredness, recalling symbols of rebirth and protection in folk tradition.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
The Buffardello
Spirits and Presences of GarfagnanaSmall clay sculpture representing the Buffardello, a mischievous spirit from Garfagnana folklore. The seated figure has caricatured features and an ironic expression, with joined hands and a squat…
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- Category
- Sculpture / Folkloric figure
- Provenance
- “A. Passaglia” Art High School – Lucca
- Materials
- Natural unglazed clay
- Technique
- Hand modeling and air drying
- Dimensions
- approx. 20 × 12 × 10 cm
- Dating
- 21st century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Spirits and Presences of Garfagnana Section
- Condition
- Good; slight cracks due to the nature of the material
- Interpretation and context
- The Buffardello is a domestic spirit dwelling in houses and barns, known for nocturnal pranks and for braiding manes and hair. This depiction captures its human and ironic dimension, turning the legend into a portrait of everyday familiarity.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
Count Cilla
Figures and Masks of EvilClay bust depicting a male face with strong, grotesque features, small horns on the forehead, and an intense gaze. The surface is carved and shaded to enhance the…
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- Category
- Sculpture / Artistic object
- Provenance
- “A. Passaglia” Art High School – Lucca
- Materials
- Molded and patinated clay
- Technique
- Hand modeling and oxide finishing
- Dimensions
- approx. 28 × 20 × 18 cm
- Dating
- 21st century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Figures and Masks of Evil Section
- Condition
- Excellent; slight color variations due to patina
- Interpretation and context
- Count Cilla symbolizes domestic evil and corrupted power, a figure embodying temptation and pride in local legends. Created by students of the “Passaglia” Art High School, the sculpture translates the tension between human and demonic into a vivid, contemporary form.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
The Black Crow and Countess Matilde
Legends and Symbolic FiguresBlack crow figure with a white beak and pronounced claws, perched on a bark-like base. The surface is textured and irregular, showing clear traces of handcrafting.
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- Category
- Sculpture / Artistic object
- Provenance
- Passaglia Art High School of Lucca
- Materials
- Molded and painted clay
- Technique
- Hand modeling and cold painting
- Dimensions
- approx. 25 × 15 × 20 cm
- Dating
- 21st century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Legends and Symbolic Figures Section
- Condition
- Good; slight color abrasions due to manual crafting
- Interpretation and context
- The piece evokes the crow as a messenger between worlds, a liminal figure and keeper of secrets. Its link to Countess Matilde blends history and legend, evoking feminine power and territorial memory.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
Ghost Figures in Papier – Màchè with Natural Element
Pair of ghost-like papier-mâché figures painted white with black eyes and mouth. Both have a fluid, sinuous shape and a caricatural expression, featuring a natural element (a nut)…
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- Category
- Sculpture / Artistic object
- Provenance
- Passaglia Art High School of Lucca
- Materials
- Painted papier-mâché, acrylic pigments, natural element (nut or seed)
- Technique
- Hand modeling and painting
- Dimensions
- approx. 25 × 20 × 15 cm each
- Dating
- 21st century
- Location
- Museo Italiano dell’Immaginario Folklorico
- Condition
- Excellent; slight irregularities due to handcrafting
- Interpretation and context
- The pieces recall ghostly figures from folk tales and childhood imagination, symbols of lightness and irony in the relationship with the supernatural.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
Illustrated Diorama with Ghost Figure
Illustrated diorama depicting an architectural interior with Gothic arches and ornate frames. At the center stands a white ghostly figure, surrounded by decorative elements and small drawn ghosts…
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- Category
- Diorama / Artistic object
- Provenance
- Passaglia Art High School of Lucca
- Materials
- Cardboard, paper, ink, and watercolor
- Technique
- Hand drawing and painting on a three-dimensional structure
- Dimensions
- approx. 25 × 30 × 10 cm
- Dating
- 21st century
- Location
- Museo Italiano dell’Immaginario Folklorico
- Condition
- Excellent; minor handling marks
- Interpretation and context
- The piece evokes the theme of the fantastic and domestic imagination, recalling theatrical stage sets and depictions of benevolent spirits in folk tradition.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
The Thoughtful Buffardello
Spirits and Presences of GarfagnanaClay sculpture depicting the Buffardello with a pointed hood and hands gathered under the chin. The serene, thoughtful expression suggests a moment of calm or observation. The rough…
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- Category
- Sculpture / Folkloric figure
- Provenance
- “A. Passaglia” Art High School – Lucca
- Materials
- Natural unglazed clay
- Technique
- Hand modeling and air drying
- Dimensions
- approx. 25 × 12 × 12 cm
- Dating
- 21st century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Spirits and Presences of Garfagnana Section
- Condition
- Good; slight cracks due to the nature of the material
- Interpretation and context
- The Thoughtful Buffardello represents the contemplative side of the Garfagnana sprite, captured in a moment of quiet attention toward the human world. The work translates the legend into a discreet presence, symbolizing the balance between the visible and the invisible.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
The Buffardello in the Mushroom
Spirits and Presences of GarfagnanaClay sculpture depicting the Buffardello inside a large mushroom, with the cap serving as a shelter and the body barely visible beneath the dome. The essential form and…
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- Category
- Sculpture / Folkloric figure
- Provenance
- “A. Passaglia” Art High School – Lucca
- Materials
- Natural unglazed clay
- Technique
- Hand modeling and air drying
- Dimensions
- approx. 22 × 12 × 12 cm
- Dating
- 21st century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Spirits and Presences of Garfagnana Section
- Condition
- Good; slight cracks due to the nature of the material
- Interpretation and context
- The Buffardello in the Mushroom represents his natural dwelling, a refuge between earth and forest. The mushroom becomes a symbol of protection and metamorphosis, a place where the sprite hides and observes the human world. The work translates the legend into a form of woodland harmony and mystery.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
The Snake in the Witches’ House
Spirits and Presences of GarfagnanaClay sculpture depicting a seated female figure with hands at the sides of her face and a snake coiled around the base of her dress. On her head…
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- Category
- Sculpture / Folkloric figure
- Provenance
- “A. Passaglia” Art High School – Lucca
- Materials
- Natural clay and dried vegetal elements
- Technique
- Hand modeling, assembly, and air drying
- Dimensions
- approx. 30 × 20 × 18 cm
- Dating
- 21st century
- Location
- Italian Museum of Folk Imagination – Spirits and Presences of Garfagnana Section
- Condition
- Good; slight cracks and fragility of vegetal materials
- Interpretation and context
- The Snake in the Witches’ House embodies the fusion between the animal and magical worlds, symbolizing metamorphosis and protection. In Garfagnana tradition, the serpent is often linked to witches as a guardian or domestic spirit. The sculpture translates the legend into a tangible form combining mystery, femininity, and nature.
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi
The Lonfo
Polychrome sculpture depicting an imaginary creature with a green body, red face, and a large central blue eye. The figure stands on a gray base inscribed “IL LONFO”.…
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- Category
- Contemporary sculpture
- Subcategory
- Fantastic figure inspired by poetic nonsense
- Provenance
- Made in Garfagnana through an educational workshop with elementary school students
- Materials
- Resin and acrylic paints, 3D printing
- Technique
- Digital modeling, 3D printing, and hand painting
- Dimensions
- Height approx. 25 cm; width approx. 15 cm
- Dating
- 21st century
- Function
- Artistic work inspired by Fosco Maraini’s poem “Il Lonfo”, symbol of inventive language and expressive freedom
- Location
- Museo dell’Immaginario Folklorico
- Condition
- Excellent
- Interpretation and context
- The Lonfo is a linguistic and imaginary creature born from the poetic game of nonsense. In Garfagnana, it has been reinterpreted as a symbol of shared imagination and creativity, including in educational contexts.
The poem “Il Lonfo” was written by Fosco Maraini in 1978 and became famous for its invented language. The sculpture visually translates the essence of the text, turning linguistic play into a tangible and educational form.
The Lonfo embodies the freedom of language and the power of imagination, bridging word, matter, and education. - Bibliography
- Fosco Maraini, Il Lonfo (1978); direct observation; educational workshop
- Compiled by
- Alessandro Grossi