Images(4)

Doll, Decorative

Object number2015.82.13

Artist Anna Marie Fiori

Manufacturer The Dial Corporation

Date2005

OriginScottsdale, AZ

MediumRubber(?); Plastic; Fabric; Felt; Wood; Paper; Ink; Unknown

Credit LineGift of Anna Marie Fiori

DescriptionHandmade La Befana doll that is also an air freshener.Dimensions8.75 × 5.75 × 9 in. (22.2 × 14.6 × 22.9 cm)
Signed"Anna Marie Fiori 2005" printed at the end of the attached card.
Signed on the last page of the paper card, printed in black ink.
InscriptionsTied to the handle of the broom with red ribbon is a paper card with printed text including “La Befana / the / Buona Strega / Befana, the Good Witch / This is an Italian myth handed / down over time about an old / woman called Befana. It is / thought Befana is short for / Epifania as this is when she / comes, January 6th, The Feast / of the Epiphany. In Italy it is / Befana who brings presents for / good children and coal for bad / ones, not Babbo Natale. / One very starry night Befana / was sweeping her house when a / caravan of richly robed / strangers stopped to ask if she / knew the way to Bethlehem. / “What is in Bethlehem” she / asked? “The newborn King” / they replied, “would you like to / join us”? No, I cannot, I / must finish my sweeping.” And / so the Kings continued on with- / out her. After they leave she regrets / not going, so she gathers a few things / a child might like in an old bag, puts / on her shawl, picks up her broom / and follows the path the Kings have / taken but she never finds them. She / roams the world looking for the / Christ child but can never find him. / She gives to children all over from / her never empty bag in hopes that one / day she will find him. Maybe a little / of the Christ child is in all children. / Anna Marie Fiori 2005”.
MarksBase is a plastic air freshener has raised text maker’s marks on the underside “The Dial Corporation, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 USA”.
Historical NotesThis small figurine, made by Anna Marie Fiori, is a Befana, an old woman from Italian folklore that delivers gifts to children on the night of Epiphany Eve (January 5). I Campagnoli was an Italian American folk troupe from the Pittsburgh area comprised of approximately 40 core performers with a focus on Italian folk singing and dancing. Originally directed by Lorenzo “Larry” Malfatti and Eugene Richards (and later Jane Ferro) and sponsored by the Italian Sons and Daughters of Italy, the group formed in 1964 and performed throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, as well as in Italy and at the opening of the Italian Village in Epcot Center and Busch Gardens. Label TextIn many European cultures, children look forward to a visit from Santa Claus. In Italy, children believe in an old woman, known as La Befana, who visits homes the night before the Feast of Epiphany. Like Santa, she leaves gifts for good children and coal for bad children. According to Italian folklore, the Three Magi visited Befana before Christ’s birth, but she was too busy cleaning her home to join them on their journey.

Related institution I Campagnoli

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