Luna Rose Magna Graecia Wall Decoration by Antonio Aricò

Magna Graecia is a terracotta collection designed by Antonio Aricò for Seletti and presented at Maison&Objet in January 2023. The name refers to the ancient Greek cities of Southern Italy, and the pieces incorporate their vocabulary: capitals, meander friezes, waves, antique busts, and amphorae with battle scenes. Aricò chose terracotta for its ordinary quality—"a seemingly very poor material, with which one can perform magic," he told designboom—as well as for its raw color and the irregularity of its thickness, which he celebrates rather than corrects. The pieces are formed in handmade molds, which explains why no two are exactly alike: the shade and surface texture vary from one piece to the next. The designer intends them for a terrace, garden, or conservatory just as much as for a living room or entryway. However, Seletti provides no information regarding glazing, frost resistance, or water-tightness; for outdoor use, a sheltered location remains the prudent choice. All pieces in the series share the same clay, allowing them to be grouped together without worrying about variations in finish.

This particular piece is the pink version. It is wall-mounted. Dimensions: 32 × 26 × H 5 cm.

Where the design comes from

Magna Graecia refers to the cities founded by Greek colonists on the coasts of Southern Italy and Sicily starting in the 8th century BCE. Aricò, born and based in Calabria, draws inspiration motif by motif: the Dorico vase cites the Doric order, the Greca vase the meander frieze, the Onda vase the outline of a wave; the statues refer to the Riace Bronzes, and the head-shaped vases take up the tradition of Caltagirone ceramic heads. As for the capital, it no longer supports anything: it serves as a base or pedestal. The collection forms an archaeological repertoire treated without solemnity, which the publisher presents as a contemporary irony.