The Lobster

Year: 2025

Material: Resin

"The Lobster" is a design by the Roman architect Giuliano Massari (1930-2023).
This work depicts a stylised lobster, created in 1999 by Massari, a deep lover of the island of Ponza.
The work is inspired by and dedicated to the restaurant "L'Aragosta", the oldest on the island, a place that for Massari was much more than a simple meeting point: it was home, a safe haven, a space of welcome and memory.

The choice of lobster is not accidental. In addition to the emotional bond with the restaurant, this animal has a strong symbolic value in the Ponza culture.
Associated with San Silverio, the patron saint of the island, the lobster represents the sea and its gifts. It is no coincidence that local fishermen offer a golden lobster every year as a sign of devotion and gratitude.

During the traditional procession in honor of the Saint, the lobster is placed at the foot of the statue of San Silverio: a gesture full of symbolism, which unites sea and land, work and faith, community and divine protection.
It is said that this custom has ancient origins, dating back to a time when fishermen, grateful for the generosity of the sea, offered their most abundant catches as a tribute to the Saint, as a testimony to the value of their profession.

This work, part of a larger collection, thus fuses spiritual and cultural elements, transforming a simple marine creature into a powerful symbol of identity and belonging.