Contrade di siena
all ceramics are hand painted by our artists, exact replicas cannot be GUARANTEED.
The Contrades "districts of Siena" are extremely important to Siena and the Sienese people. Siena is held together by 17 contrades, their histories running deep since the 1300's along with emotion and civic pride of the residents. Siena's history has always been linked to the contrade and the oldest event in Siena, the Palio, which has made it famous and renowned throughout the world. We pay tribute to our communities honouring each contrade with ceramics, plates and bells. If you have ever visited Siena, you will know how important these are. This is the perfect gift to commemorate your time in our beautiful Siena.
All plates are available in 22cm or 29cm
OCA (Goose): CURRENTLY SOLD OUT.
Situated just to the west of the Piazza del Campo. Traditionally, its residents made dyes.
Oca's symbol is a crowned goose wearing around its neck a blue ribbon marked with the cross of Savoy. Its colours are green and white, with red trim. Oca is one of only four nobile (noble) contrade; it earned its title for its people's bravery during many battles fought by the former Sienese Republic.
Onda (Wave):
Runs south from the Piazza del Campo in the centre of the city. Traditionally, its residents were carpenters. Onda's symbol is a dolphin. Its colours are white and sky blue and the contrada describes itself as "The colour of Heaven, the force of the sea". Onda is the only contrada to extend its domain outside the wall ring of the city.
Lupa (She-Wolf):
Situated to the north of the Piazza del Campo. Traditionally, the residents of Lupa were bakers.
Lupa's symbol is a female wolf nursing twins. Its colors are black and white, trimmed with orange. The she-wolf of this contrada refers to the legend that Siena was founded by Senius and Aschius, the sons of Remus, who were raised by a wolf. Because of this, Lupa's sister city is Rome.
Valdimontone (Valley of the Ram):
Situated in the south-east of the city near Porta Romana. Traditionally, its residents were tailors. Valdimontone's symbol is a crowned rampant ram, with a blue shield emblazoned with the letter "u" for Umberto. Its colours are red and yellow, with white trim.
Pantera (Panther):
Situated at the western edge of the city. Traditionally, its residents were grocers, chemists and Steamers. Pantera's symbol is a rampant panther. Its colours are red, blue and white.
Leocorno (Unicorn):
Situated to the east of the Piazza del Campo. Traditionally, its residents were goldsmiths.
Leocorno's symbol is a unicorn, rampant, with the motto "Humberti regio gratia" ("A kingdom by the grace of Umberto"). Its colours are orange and white, bordered with blue.
Aquila (Eagle):
Situated immediately to the south-west of the Piazza del Campo in the centre of the city, and is home to the duomo (cathedral). Traditionally, its residents were notaries. Aquila's symbol is a double-headed black eagle holding an orb, a sword, and a sceptre. Its colours are yellow, trimmed with blue and black.
Drago (Dragon):
Situated to the north-west of the Piazza del Campo. Traditionally, its residents were bankers.
Drago's symbol is a flying golden dragon carrying a banner with the letter "u". Its colours are pink and green, trimmed with yellow.
Civetta (Little Owl):
Situated immediately to the north of the Piazza del Campo in the centre of the city. Traditionally, its residents were shoemakers. Civetta's symbol is a crowned owl sitting on a branch. Its colours are red and black striped with white. Its motto is: "Vedo nella Notte" (I see in the night).
Nicchio (Seashell):
Situated in the far eastern corner of the city. Traditionally, its residents worked as potters.
Nicchio's symbol is a crowned scallop shell flanked by two branches of coral. Its colours are blue, with yellow and red trim.
Bruco (Caterpillar):
Situated to the north of the Piazza del Campo. Traditionally, its residents worked in the silk trade. Bruco's symbol is a crowned caterpillar crawling on a rose. Its colours are green and yellow, trimmed with blue.
Giraffa (Giraffe):
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.
Chiocciola (Snail):
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.”
Torre (Tower):
Situated just to the south-east of the Piazza del Campo in the centre of the city, and encompasses Siena's Jewish quarter and synagogue. Traditionally, its residents worked as woolcombers. Torre's symbol is an elephant (the contrada's original name was Liofante or Lionfante) with a tower on its back. Its colours are crimson, striped with white and blue.
Istrice (Crested Porcupine):
Occupies the north-westernmost edge of Siena and contains the San Vincenzo e Anastasio church, home of the city's oldest surviving fresco and burial place of Pinturicchio. Traditionally, its residents were blacksmiths.
Istrice's symbol is a porcupine. Its colours are white, red, blue and black. Its motto is: "Sol per difesa io pungo" (I prick only for self-defense).
Tartuca (Tortoise):
Situated at the southern end of the city. Traditionally, its residents were sculptors. Tartuca's symbol is a tortoise with alternating Savoy knots and daisies. Its colours are yellow and deep blue.
Selva (Forest): SOLD OUT
Runs west from the Piazza del Campo in the centre of the city. Traditionally, its residents were weavers, but when the contrade were mainly military, they had a reputation for being excellent archers. Selva's symbol is a rhinoceros at the base of an oak tree hung with hunting tools. Its colors are green and orange, bordered with white.