Gianduja (commedia dell'arte)
 | You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Italian. (July 2025) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
Gianduja (Italian: [dʒanˈduːja]; Piedmontese: Giandoja [dʒaŋˈdʊja]) is one of the masks of the Italian commedia dell'arte, typically representing a kind, honest and jovial man from the Piedmontese countryside (and specifically, Turin).[1][2]
Origins
[edit]His name is said to derive from "Gioan d'la douja" or "John of the jug" in Piedmontese language, referring to his love of wine.[3][2] Alternative explanations suggest that it is derived from the French "Jean Andouille" (John Sausage).[2][4]
His wife is named Giacometta and their children are referred to as Giandujotti.[4][2] Originally conceived as a simple farmer, over time Gianduja has evolved into a gentleman with a taste for good wine and gastronomy.[2]
Gianduja was created as a glove puppet in Caglianetto d'Asti, Piedmont, in 1808.[4] The character then appeared as a marionette in Turin in 1843.[4]
Depiction
[edit]The costume for Gianduja is a heavy brown jacket with red trim, a yellow waistcoat, and green breeches.[2][4] He has a tricorne (three-cornered hat) on his wig or hair, typically wearing a ponytail.[2][4]
Cultural influence
[edit]Gianduja also became the namesake for a Piedmontese chocolate preparation.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "1. Piedmont". The Other Italy: The Literary Canon in Dialect. University of Toronto Press. 1999. pp. 71–93. doi:10.3138/9781442681996-008. ISBN 978-1-4426-8199-6.
- ^ a b c d e f g Maschere: La Storia "Segreta" (in Italian). DEMETRA (Giunti Editore). 2005. pp. 52–53. ISBN 9788844015220.
- ^ Della Crocce, Vincenzo (2005). Per fare: maschere, mascherine, mascheroni (in Italian). Firenze; Milan: Giunti. p. 17. ISBN 9788844015411.
- ^ a b c d e f g Sammartano, Antonietta (2009). "Gianduja". World Encyclopedia of Puppetry Arts. Retrieved July 13, 2025.