This is a set of 4 Palio di Siena 8 1/4" Plates, Contrade del Bruco (caterpillar), Tartuca (tortoise), Drago (dragon), & Oca (goose). Hand-made & hand painted in Siena, Italy to commorate the world-famous Palio di Siena horse race. Each plate features the emblem & colors for a different part of the city of Siena. Each plate is hand-made. Unlike mechanically produced pottery, each hand-made piece has its own unique character. All are in excellent condition. See photos as part of the condition & description of these items. From discoverTuscany dot com: “The Palio is the most important event in Siena, taking place on July 2 & August 16 every year. in the Palio, the various Sienese “contrade”, or areas in which the city is divided, challenge each other in a passionate horse race in the heart of the city in the Piazza del Campo. Originally, there were about fifty-nine “Contrade”; now only seventeen remain, ten of which take part in the historical pageant & in the race at each Palio (seven by right & three drawn by lots). The 17 Contrade which still exist today are: the Eagle, Snail, Wave, Panther, Forest, Tortoise, Owl, Unicorn, Shell, Tower, Ram, Caterpillar, Dragon, Giraffe, Porcupine, She-Wolf & the Goose. Each Contrada has its own unique emblem & colors & represents an area of the city. As one walks through the streets of Siena it is easy to know in which Contrada you currently are in by observing the flags & emblems displayed along the street. Much like street signs, corners often designate the entrance into a different Contrada with signs as the ones in the picture below.” Set Of 4 Palio Di Siena 8 1/4" Plates, Contrade Del Bruco, Tartuca, Drago, & Oca, Hand Painted in Italy
