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!!
:-)

37 comments:

  1. I love the details. Very beautiful.

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  2. 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!

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

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  3. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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  7. 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

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

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  9. 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

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    1. 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!

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  10. 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.

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

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  12. 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.

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

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  13. 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

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

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

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    1. Hi Gail, I am glad that you liked it!

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  15. 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/

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  16. Replies
    1. Thanks Lisa, and very welcome to my blog!!

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  17. 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

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    1. 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

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  18. 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.

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    1. Different ountries have sometimes similar traditions of course ...

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

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

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

    akiko

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