Palio Round Serving Platter, The Giraffe
This magnificent serving platter is a celebration of the Palio—a wild and intoxicating horse race that takes place in the main piazza of Siena, Italy. Each piece displays a symbol that correlates to one of the teams, based on the different districts in the city.
Recognised by Consorzio per la Tutela del Palio di Siena (Consortium for the protection of Siena’s Palio – Consorzio)
Giraffa (The Giraffe): Traditionally, Giraffa residents were painters. Giraffa has the title of contrada imperiale (imperial contrada). This title was bestowed on it 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. Its allies are Civetta, Istrice and Pantera. It currently does not have an enemy, as its rivalry with Bruco ended in 1996.
Diameter: 15.75 in; 40 cm
Material: Glazed Ceramic
Care: Hand wash only
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About the Maker
Dating back to the Middle Ages, the Palio horse race is an amalgamation of complex events, traditions, and customs that have amassed over centuries and serve as the social bedrock of the city. Each of Siena's city districts (or Contrade) is named after an animal or symbol with a long history and complicated heraldic and semi-mythological associations. This collection is produced by a family run business founded in Siena. They come from a long line of artisans and craftsmen dating back to 1450, who made armor, coats of arms, and flags. The studio is one of the last that produces handmade, traditional Sienese artisanal pieces.
Manufactured
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