DESCRIPTION Contrade Italian Dinnerware is available in all 17 District Designs and each design is available in eight different products. The Snail (Chiocciola), for centuries has represented the "Rione della Chiocciola" during the Palio horse race. "Rione" stands for Neighborhood. The Contrade Italian Ceramics are handcrafted in Siena, Italy. Chiocciola is situated in the south-western corner of the city; traditionally, its residents worked as terracotta makers. Chiocciola's motto is “With slow and deliberate steps, snail takes the field to triumph.” The district’s patron saints are the apostles Peter and Paul with a feast day of June 29. Chiocciola's rival is Tartuca (Tortoise). Its allies are Istrice (Porcupine), Pantera (Panther) and Selva (Forest). Their last Palio victory was on August 16, 1999. There is an expression in Siena, “The people of the Snail, drowners of saints.” In 1888, after losing a Palio, the contrada was so angry that they threw a statue of Saint Anthony (patron saint of horses) into a well. The statue wasn’t removed until 1910 and the district won in 1911. Its colours are red and yellow, trimmed with blue. 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.
