Sicilian Basket

Each bag has its own shape and decoration, making it unique and unrepeatable.

Handcrafted product, Sicily, Italy

The fan in the photo is not included

Did you know that...

Far from being an accessory with a purely aesthetic function (as it is today), the Sicilian coffa was born as a very useful object of peasant tradition . It was, in fact, the food bag of farmers and animals. It was filled with straw or hay, then tied to the neck of the donkey or horse . Also called “cuffinu”, depending on the shape or even the geographical area of ​​Sicily , it cannot simply be defined as a bag. It is, in fact, a valuable artifact, a creation of the artisan wisdom that has made, and continues to make, our Island great. To make it, the tender leaves of the dwarf palm are needed , also called “troffa di curina” or “giummara”. This plant is typical of Mediterranean vegetation and embellishes many Sicilian landscapes. Here is how the leaves are used.

The hardest leaves are used to create brooms of various sizes and consistencies, perfect for domestic use. The softer ones, on the other hand, are intended for the skilled hands of artisans, who dry them and use them to create Sicilian baskets, but not only. The “curina”, that is, the dried leaf, is also perfect for creating ropes and baskets, small and light, for the table. The name “curina” comes from the tapered shape. The tradition of the basket has become design . World-famous stylists have enriched it more and more and, by bringing it to the catwalk, have made it an essential accessory for fashion victims all over the world. Mirrors, ribbons, bells and all types of fabrics decorate the baskets, which are shown off everywhere. A beautiful tribute to our tradition that demonstrates how the history of Sicily is always able to adapt to the times, without forgetting where it comes from.