DESCRIPTION Contrade Italian Dinnerware is available in all 17 District Designs and each design is available in eight different products. The Dolphin (Onda), for centuries has represented the "Rione dell'Onda" during the Palio horse race. "Rione" stands for Neighborhood. The Contrade Italian Ceramics are handcrafted in Siena, Italy. Onda runs south from the Piazza del Campo in the centre of the city. Traditionally, its residents were carpenters. Onda's symbol is a dolphin. Its colours are white and sky blue and the contrada describes itself as "The colour of Heaven, the force of the sea" Onda has the title of contrada capitana (captain contrada) because in the past its soldiers mounted guard at the Palazzo Pubblico. A famous member of Onda was the sculptor Giovanni Duprè, after whom the main street in Onda is named. Onda’s allies are Nicchio (since 1684), Tartuca (since 1933) and Valdimontone (since 1781). Onda's adversary is Torre (since 1559). Onda won the Palio of July 2, 2012 and August 16, 2013 and 2017. This piece is created as a special order, hand-painted just for you by skilled Italian artisans. Each item is crafted individually using time-honored techniques, resulting in a one-of-a-kind work that carries the mark and spirit of its maker. Because of this meticulous process, production takes time—but it is precisely this dedication to craftsmanship that makes it worth the wait. Place your special order and bring home an authentic piece made exclusively for you. The small imperfections such as the difference in color, shape, diameter or small bubbles that form inside, do not constitute a defect but testify that it is actually an artisanal product. ARTISAN STORY During the Renaissance, Italian cities were partitioned into districts or neighborhoods called Contrade to supply troops to the military. Today, the most celebrated Contrade are of Siena, where 17 Contrade, each represented by a symbol or animal, compete in the Piazza del Campo for pride and the glory of winning in a biannual horse race called the Palio di Siena, which dates back to 1656.
