Wednesday, 5 July 2017

My coffa bag


 I probably have already told you about my Sicilian origins.
As a consequence, sooner or later it had to happen that I desired a coffa.
I chose my favourite one on the Internet and very quickly got it at home! 


Do you know what a coffa is? 
Well, in origin it  was a natural fiber bag hand-knitted and made from palm leaves


In past times they used coffa bags on the traditional Sicilian cart to carry hay for the mule  
( offspring of a donkey and a horse )
 

Nowadays it is a luxury item richly decorated and embroidered .


One of the most famous brands is Tizzini, which makes gorgeous masterpieces 
with great care of every single detail ( and extraordinarily high prices!  )
 

Also duo Dolce & Gabbana paid  tribute to   Sicilian origins with a set of beautiful straw coffa bags


My coffa is made by an artisan of Catania and is covered with blue velvet both inside and out.
The artisan sewed three Caltagirone ceramics on the front part.
The bigger one reproduces the face of a Saracen man. 
( the Saracen pirates sacked  Sicilian cities )


Isn't it a beauty??? And it perfectly matches to the village where I spend my sunny afternoon...



No photos of me today, but I can tell you that I am feeling  a real ... Sicilian lady!!
:-)
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37 comments:

  1. Beauty Unearthly5 July 2017 at 13:29

    I love the details. Very beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  2. thepoutingpensioner5 July 2017 at 13:40

    Hi sweet Sicilian lady! What beautiful bags, your deep blue velvet is a great choice. And so capacious too. Your cappas put our poor horses' nose bags to shame!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. dan6 July 2017 at 05:36

      Traditional Sicilian accessories have vivid colours and a lot of embroidery...I think they are very nice for summer!

      Delete
  3. Andrea5 July 2017 at 20:33

    That's a beautiful bag, Dan! Thank you for sharing a bit of the history of the coffa bag. It's a perfect bag for you!

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. dan6 July 2017 at 06:10

      I have a big collection of bags nevertheless it seems that I ( often ) can't resist to add a new one to it!!

      Delete
  4. sabine ingerl6 July 2017 at 02:21

    The bag is gorgeous Dan, and it is a great piece of art.
    Sabine

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  5. Fiona6 July 2017 at 02:36

    I hadn't heard of Coffa bags, they are beautiful! Thanks for sharing their story.

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    Replies
    1. dan6 July 2017 at 06:17

      Coffa are traditional bags . Fashion restyled them only recently . You can find different kind of them in Sicily ( or on the Internet!! )

      Delete
  6. Fiona6 July 2017 at 02:37

    I hadn't heard of Coffa bags, they are beautiful! Thanks for sharing their story.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Polyester Princess6 July 2017 at 06:22

    I'd never heard of Coffa bags, but being of Sicilian origin, of course you had to have one! Yours is a work of art, that's for sure! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jodie's Touch of Style6 July 2017 at 06:32

    These are amazing, Dan!!!
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. No Fear of Fashion6 July 2017 at 11:28

    I learn something new every day. Coffa bags, I had no idea. But I also had no idea you had Sicilian ancestors. News to me. The bag is a beauty. Totally different from all your other bags, which is nice and new. Enjoy my dear.
    Greetje

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. dan8 July 2017 at 13:51

      My father was born in Sicily and I spent many ( very hot and unforgettable ) summers in the island. I learned the meaning of the words hospitality and generosity there...no place is as contraddictorious as Sicily!

      Delete
  10. Flo6 July 2017 at 19:14

    As someone who loves bags, this was such an interesting post! I too had never heard of these bags, loved learning a bit of history about something fashion related. I love the one you chose, that is just gorgeous!

    BTW--I am back to blogging! I just put a post up a little while ago.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nancy's Fashion Style7 July 2017 at 00:11

    Now I love those bags even more! Thank you Dan and enjoy your weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jill James8 July 2017 at 02:14

    Thank you Dan for enlightening me on the origins of Coffa bags. Your bag is quite a thing of beauty, no wonder you are very pleased with it. Sicily is on my to visit wish list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. dan10 July 2017 at 14:46

      If you ever planned to come also to Turin... remember to let me know!!

      Delete
  13. carmen8 July 2017 at 10:46

    What an interesting post about the history of Coffa bags. I did not know this name and have never seen such embellished ones before. The bags are truly beautiful.

    ❤️carmen

    https://fashionableover50.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. dan10 July 2017 at 14:29

      There are coffas with different decorations. It depends on the part of Sicily they are from and on the artisan's creativity...

      Delete
  14. Gail Is This Mutton?9 July 2017 at 00:27

    I'd never heard of coffa bags so your piece was very interesting - some of them are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. dan10 July 2017 at 14:23

      Hi Gail, I am glad that you liked it!

      Delete
  15. Elle9 July 2017 at 13:54

    Dan,
    How I loved this post! I never knew the history of that kind of bag and it was fascinating. So you are not carrying hay, but how chic!
    Love the ceramic plaques and the divine workmanship!
    Xx, Elle
    http://www.theellediaries.com/

    ReplyDelete
  16. Unknown9 July 2017 at 23:02

    i like your blog, great
    homecoming dresses 2017

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. dan10 July 2017 at 14:21

      Thanks Lisa, and very welcome to my blog!!

      Delete
  17. Bliss10 July 2017 at 17:29

    Hello Dan, I love your Coffa bag and your most interesting post about it! I would like to get one too! Which website did you purchase yours from? Many thanks! Donna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. dan11 July 2017 at 10:07

      Hello, Donna! I am glad that you enjoyed the post. I bought mine at www.ceramicheanthos.it
      You can find more coffa at wwwlacasaeoliana.it www.chicchedicoffe.it.
      or www.tizzini.com

      Delete
  18. Frugan E11 July 2017 at 03:30

    Beautiful! We have those here in Tunisia too, interestingly enough also called qoffa, maybe prenounced a bit differently. They're very practical for everyday life here. :) Ours look more like the second picture though, very simple.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. dan11 July 2017 at 10:09

      Different ountries have sometimes similar traditions of course ...

      Delete
  19. Vanity And Me11 July 2017 at 14:51

    I love this nearly as much as your O bag! How lovely, and very different! xx
    www.vanityandmestyle.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sicily Bag12 July 2017 at 04:51

    Such beautiful photos, Dan!! Thank you for sharing!! You also might like our Sicilian coffa bags at sicilybag.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. akiko hiramatsu13 July 2017 at 21:10

    Beautiful photos and such a gorgeous coffa!!!
    I would love to look for mine:))
    Have a lovely weekend, Dan!

    akiko

    ReplyDelete
  22. Unknown29 August 2017 at 21:54

    This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. This is very nice one and gives indepth information. Thanks for this nice article.
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    ReplyDelete

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