Ciriaco Piras
Ciriaco Piras - Daniela Spoto 2022, © CCIAA NU

Ciriaco Piras

Ciriaco Piras (b. Dorgali, 1891–d. Dorgali, 1955) was an Italian ceramicist.

He was a student of Francesco Ciusa in Cagliari and spent two years as his apprentice.

Ciriaco Piras, the Art Workshop in Dorgali, mid-twenties
Ciriaco Piras, the Art Workshop in Dorgali, mid-twenties - © Archivio Eredi Piras
Ciriaco Piras, the Art Workshop in Dorgali, mid-twenties
Ciriaco Piras, the Art Workshop in Dorgali, mid-twenties - © Archivio eredi Piras

In 1922, he returned to Dorgali and opened a small ceramics workshop, where he created works inspired by Sardinian culture and tradition, including in leather and wood.

Ciriaco Piras with two clients in his workshop in Dorgali, 1950s
Ciriaco Piras with two clients in his workshop in Dorgali, 1950s - © Archivio Eredi Piras

Towards the end of the 1920s, young artists like Salvatore Fancello, Simone Lai, Antonio Lovicu and Giovanni Cucca could be found in Piras’s workshop.

Ciriaco Piras in his laboratory, Dorgali, February 1950
Ciriaco Piras in his laboratory, Dorgali, February 1950 - © Wolfgang Suschitzky, Archivio eredi Piras

In 1923, he participated in the 1st Biennale of Decorative Arts in Monza, where he received an honorary diploma, and in the Craft Exhibition, also in Monza.
He continued to participate in regional and national exhibitions until the 1950s.

Ciriaco Piras, Donna al lavoro, Dorgali, second half of the 1920s. XX, Quartu Sant'Elena, private collection
Ciriaco Piras, Donna al lavoro, Dorgali, second half of the 1920s. XX, Quartu Sant'Elena, private collection - © Archivio Ilisso