Tea towel Zagara with Testa di Moro lady | 50 x 70 cm

Tea towel with 'Lady' Testa di Moro

I find the Italian table linens from Tessitura Toscana Telerie just so beautiful. Fortunately, they also make tea towels. Because, of course, there are plenty of people who already have enough tablecloths (is that even possible??), but who still really want to dry the dishes in Italian style. My apologies, Sicilian style! Because these Teste di Moro are, of course, quintessentially Sicilian. In short: a souvenir of the summer.

The story behind the Testa di Moro

If you have ever been to Sicily, you have certainly seen them: the Teste di Moro (Moor's heads), truly typical of Sicily. It is a traditional Sicilian ceramic work of art that depicts the face of a man or woman, usually decorated with crowns, jewels, and fruit. These 'Moor's heads' play the lead role in an 11th-century legend about passion and revenge during the Arab occupation of Sicily.

The most well-known version of this story takes place in the Kalsa district of Palermo. A beautiful noblewoman, who spends her days tending to the plants on her balcony, falls head over heels in love with a traveling Moor (Arab). Their romance ends abruptly as soon as she discovers that he has a wife and children waiting for him in the East.

Blinded by jealousy and hurt pride, she conceives a dark revenge. While the man sleeps, she murders him, cuts off his head, and uses it as a pot to grow basil in. The basil grows lushly, nourished by her tears. Her neighbors are jealous of the beautifully blooming plant. They ask local artisans to create earthenware vases in the exact shape of the Moor's head.

Today, these striking sculptures are a symbol of Sicilian craftsmanship, particularly in cities such as Caltagirone. They are traditionally sold as a pair—a male Moor and a crowned woman—and serve as symbols of love, history, and prosperity.

A male version is also available

This beautiful tea towel with Testa di Moro, golden curls, and lemons also comes in a male version.

Do you use this beauty for drying the dishes?

I used to frame beautiful tea towels for children's rooms. This 50 x 70 size is simply poster size, after all. Put a cheerful colored Ikea frame around it and hang it up! This stunning print would not look out of place in your kitchen.

All information about the Teste di Moro 'Lady' tea towel at a glance

• Kitchen towel, glass cloth, tea towel
• Design: Zagara
• Made of a linen-cotton blend
• Size: 50 x 70
• Beautifully finished.
• Includes a loop on one of the top corners,
• See label for washing instructions

Why buy from Kleuroptafel?

• It is my dream to build a flourishing one-woman business with my quirky and colorful collection.
• I am therefore just as happy with every single purchase.
• I wrap everything nicely for you.
• For packaging and shipping, I prefer to use recycled materials. And yes, I pack everything myself and bring it to PostNL or DHL down the street on foot or by bike.
• Kleuroptafel chooses color and quality. Beautifully designed, beautifully made, preferably sustainably produced—if possible in Europe—and colorful.
• But the best reason to buy something from Kleuroptafel? Everything is just more enjoyable at a carefully set table!
• Still having doubts? I am happy to take an extra photo for you. Or come to the shop! (Nieuwe Binnenweg 208 A, Rotterdam. Tue-Sat 10:30 - 17:30) You can also email me or send me a WhatsApp message (0641407437) with your question