Franco Maritato | Vetrine dell'Artigiano Artistico

Franco Maritato

Donkey mask

This alder wood engraved and hand-painted mask is part of a collection of zoomorphic figures (a donkey, in this case) of the traditional carrasecare, the carnival of Ottana.

Franco Maritato|Ottana
Coloured Boes mask

This alder wood engraved and hand-painted mask is part of a collection of zoomorphic figures (an ox, in this case) of the traditional carrasecare, the carnival of Ottana. The mask features the typical star or rose on the forefront and stylised leafs on the cheeks, symbols of good luck.

Franco Maritato|Ottana
Boes mask

This alder wood engraved and hand-painted mask is part of a collection of zoomorphic figures (an ox, in this case) of the traditional carrasecare, the carnival of Ottana.

Franco Maritato|Ottana
Merdules mask

This alder wood hand-made mask is one of the anthopomorphic characters of sos merdùles, the Carnival masks of Ottana.

Franco Maritato|Ottana
Swine mask

This alder wood engraved and hand-painted mask is part of a collection of zoomorphic figures (a pig, in this case) of the traditional carrasecare, the carnival of Ottana.

Franco Maritato|Ottana

The artisan

In his Ottana laboratory, Franco Maritato preserves ancient local traditions, expressed in the production of caratzas, traditional carnival masks, tangible objects with stories and myths. The creation of a caratza is a ritual, the projection of an image that requires inspiration and heartfelt affection for one's own origins. Franco Maritato, a skilled carver, chose to devote himself exclusively to the creation of Ottana traditional masks, with instinctive skills and memories of local identity in contemporary contexts. His appreciated masks are addressed to an audience sensitive to the charm of the island and the high quality of manufacturing.

The collection

Franco Maritato's masks are charming and charismatic, inspired by the ancient Carnival of Ottana: sos boes, zoomorphic representations of various animals such as oxen, pigs, donkeys, deer, moufflons; sos merdùles, anthropomorphic masks, herdsmen who dominate animals. Carved and painted by hand with accurate technical expertise, the precious artefacts, faithful to tradition, can be worn and otherwise siplayed as decorative elements of strong visual impact.

The technique

Made of alder wood, carved, sculpted and decorated by hand, these masks feature decorative motifs inspired by the symbolism typical of the local carving. Sos boes, zoomorphic masks, are carved with chisels, gouges and knives; sos merdùles are sculpted by frightening faces, are black and free from any kind of decoration.