If you’ve seen our logo, an adorable clown banging a large drum and standing atop a pile of books, you may have wondered who he is….Opera lovers likely will recognize the billowing costumed figure as Pagliaccio, a character from the commedia dell’arte. The great Enrico Caruso is perhaps best known in the role in Leoncavallo’s popular opera, Pagliacci. Stepping further into the story, the actor who plays Paglicaccio in this play- within- a- play is named Canio. From here we direct you to read a bit of our shop history at our website’s homepage, http://www.caniosbooks.com. Our founding owner is Canio Pavone! Ecco la! There it is! Canio’s wife, the artist Nohra Barros created the design back in 1980 when the shop first opened. While we often have opera playing in the shop, and sometimes even Pagliacci, particularly on Sundays…there’s always good music in the shop, as well as our hand-selected collection of books. We have a particular interest in books by Italian authors, Italian history, literature and culture, keeping the best of that tradition and heritage alive. That little clown, Pagliaccio, reminds us of the source of much of our inspiration.
Who’s that cute little clown?
Published July 3, 2008 Uncategorized 4 CommentsTags: Bookstore Lore, Canio Pavone, Commedia Dell'Arte, Opera, Pagliacci
The Canio's Books Blog 
Ecco la indeed! I didn’t know that was Nohra’s design, how cool.
Nohra Barros is quite a fine artist in her own right. She has exhibited unique etchings and paintings both at Canio’s Gallery and at the Nabi Gallery in New York as well as at other galleries on the East End. Her work is often inspired by her voracious reading and particularly the works of Jorge Luis Borges among other great Latin American writers.
I have a 1986 porcelain clown figure from the 1986 hamilton collection. It’s Canio from Pagliacci by Leoncavallo. I’m trying to find out if it is worth anything.
Depending on the condition of your figurine, it might well have some value. Best to consult with an antiques dealer. We have one in the shop and we just love it; it’s beautiful and priceless to us! Enjoy.