Creatures, Devils, and Other Fantastic Figurines

The “Figurado de Barcelos” (Figurines from Barcelos) differs from other existing figurative expressions found in different regions of Portugal due to the type of representations that the potters from Barcelos produced, and still produce today, which can be classified as expressions of the fantastic. It is this characteristic that makes the Figurines of Barcelos unique and representative of Portuguese culture. Many figurines depict legends and popular beliefs, such as the famous Galo de Barcelos (“Rooster of Barcelos”), one of the best-known icons of Portuguese figurative art. Fantastic creatures, imps, saints, and figurines from the afterlife are rooted in traditional narratives and the syncretism between the sacred and the profane. Many pieces combine the religious and the superstitious, representing miracle-working saints, angels, and demons, reinforcing the influence of popular religiosity on handicrafts. Witches, monsters, and hybrid beings reflect the fears, hopes, and fantasies of the people. The use of masks and the representation of the devil in popular festivals, such as Entrudo, helped to consolidate these figurines in handicrafts. Often, the devils of Figurado are inspired by the costumes and grotesque expressions of these celebrations.

The Figurines from Barcelos have deep cultural meanings, linking the present to tradition and to the Portuguese collective imagination. Even with its historical roots, it continues to evolve, incorporating new representations of the fantastic and maintaining its relevance in the artistic scene.

By inviting António Ramalho, Mina Gallos, the Irmãos Pinga, and Domingos Francisco – potters of different ages and with different life stories, all gifted with fantastic artistic talent – the Pottery Museum aims to show that the theme “Animals, devils and other fantastic figurines” is very much present in the current work of artists from Barcelos.