DESCRIPTIONThe Contrade hand-painted plates from Siena are now available in a set of all 17 District designs. The plates, all brightly painted in joyful colors and designs, bring joy to any occasion. These plates of the Contrade are rich with history. During the Renaissance, Siena was partitioned into districts or neighborhoods called Contrade to supply troops to the military. Typically, there were trademen within the neighborhoods and represented by a symbol or animal. These are the designs on the Contrade Dinnerware. Today, the people of Siena are as passionate as ever for their Contrade. Each district competes in the Piazza del Campo rides for the glory of winning a biannual horse race called the Palio di Siena, which dates back to 1656. Contrade of SienaDolphin | Carpenters Dragon | Bankers Eagle | Notaries Elephant | Wool CombersGiraffe | PaintersGoose | Dye MakersOwl | ShoemakersPanthers | Grocers, Chemists and SteamersPorcupine | BlacksmithsRam | Tailors Rhinoceros | Archers & Weavers Seashell | Potters She-Wolf | Bakers Silkworm | Silk Trade Snail | Terracotta Makers Turtle | Sculptors Unicorn | Goldsmiths ARTISAN STORYIn 1986, Walter Staccioli began producing Italian ceramic pieces incorporating the Contrade patterns of Siena. Today, based upon each Contrada’s individual flag that festoons rider and horse in events surrounding the Palio di Siena, Sonia Staccioli and her sister Jada carry on the traditions. These works of art can only be found exclusively at Biordi and the Staccioli workshop at the Piazza del Campo in Siena.
