Home Tableware & Barware | Contrade Mugs From Siena - Set of 17 - BZ46554

DESCRIPTION
The Contrade hand-painted mugs from Siena are now available in a set of 17 District designs. The mugs, 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 it ever for their Contrade.Each district competes in the Piazza del Campo rides for the glory of winninga biannual horse race called the Palio di Siena, which dates back to 1656.

Contrade of Siena

Eagle | Notaries

Silkworm | Silk Trade

Snail | Terracotta Makers

Owl | Shoemakers

Dragon | Bankers

Giraffe | Painters

Porcupine | Blacksmiths

Unicorn | Goldsmiths

She-Wolf | Bakers

Seashell | Potters

Goose | Dye Makers

Dolphin | Carpenters

Panthers | Grocers, Chemists and Steamers

Turtle | Sculptors

Ram | Tailors

Elephant | Wool Combers

Rhinoceros | Archers & Weavers



ARTISAN STORY
In 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.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS:
Italian ceramics are heirloom quality products, and can last lifetime with proper care. We have some suggestions that will preserve your majolica for years to come. Majolica is dishwasher safe, but many people choose to hand wash their pieces as a precaution. Because majolica is a porous material, some pieces are not meant to hold liquid for a long period of time. Check for warning labels before ordering a product, as the pieces that are most notorious for "sweating" are appropriately labeled. Majolica is sensitive to extreme temperatures, specifically boiling or freezing liquids. Pouring water with a rolling boil directly into a teapot, for example, may lead to breakage. To avoid this, temper the object. The industry standard is 620 degrees Celsius (1,148 degrees Fahrenheit). Quench the glass to cool it. Crazing is common in well used majolica. The tiny cracks in the glaze do not affect the functionality of your majolica. Majolica hand-crafted products should not be microwaved, as it may crack and/or break the ceramics.