DESCRIPTION Contrade Italian Dinnerware is available in all 17 District Designs and each design is available in eight different products. The Giraffe (Giraffa), for centuries has represented the "Rione della Giraffa" during the Palio horse race. "Rione" stands for Neighborhood. The Contrade Italian Ceramics are handcrafted in Siena, Italy. Giraffa is an affluent area of the city situated to the north-east of the Piazza del Campo. Traditionally, its residents were painters. Giraffa's symbol is a giraffe led by a Moor, and a ribbon bearing the motto "Humbertus I dedit" (Umberto I gave it"). Its colours are white and red. Giraffa has the title of contrada imperiale (imperial contrada). It was bestowed this title by King Vittorio Emanuele III when it won the palio in 1936, the year the race was dedicated to Italy's empire in East Africa. Giraffa won the Palio on 2nd of July, 2019. Its allies are Civetta, Istrice and Pantera. It currently does not have an enemy, as its rivalry with Bruco ended up in 1996. 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.
