The Salesians of Don Bosco in Malta are holding a grand sale of a fine selection of Sicilian ceramics and cribs from Caltagirone, together with items of antique furniture.
The sale will take place at St Patrick’s Salesian School, St John Bosco Street, Sliema, from Saturday, 4 December, to Wednesday, 8 December, opening every day between 10am and 7pm.
This event will be officially opened by Tonio Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. All proceeds will be in aid of the boys of St Patrick’s Salesian School. Parking will be available in the school grounds. This is a unique opportunity to buy Christmas presents with a difference while contributing to a just cause.
The master of ceramic art Mario Di Liberto began his apprenticeship as a young man, working in the pottery workshops of famous masters of the art I Caltagirone. He contined his studies at the Istituto Statale d’Arte per la Ceramica in Caltagirone, founded by Don Luigi Struzo. Here Mario Di Liberto received the Diploma of Master of Arts and that of Theory of Arts. Finally, he specialised in ceramic restoration. For the last 30 years he has been working at his ceramic workshop in Caltagirone. All along he has been awarded several prizes at art and ceramic exhibitions. Many of his works are to be found in exhibitions and private collections as well as in public and ecclesiastical buildings.
At present his art works are for sale at the Mostra Mercato Permanente di Caltagirone. Occasionally he gives lectures on ceramics at scholastic institutions.
The ceramics in Caltagirone have their origin in medieval times. The various fragments of pottery discovered in certain locations can prove this. The ceramics of Caltagirone highlight a unique personality in style and decorative beauty known as the best produced in Sicily, but different from that of Sciacca and Santo Stefano di Camastra, both in Sicily.
Various historians refer to Malta because the Order of the Knights of Malta used to order their ceramics from Caltagirone. These included principally decorative vases for medical use. Various vases that originated from Caltagirone can be found in museums and palaces in Malta. Today in Caltagirone one can find out about various workshops of famous ceramic artists, and there are whole families who dedicate their life to artistic ceramics and offer a valid attraction to tourists and visitors.