3 Italian Contrade of Siena Porcelain Shield Plates Chiocciola Tartuca Leocorno 11"

Description

Set of three hand painted, Italian Deruta style, porcelain wall hanging shield plates / plaques depicting heraldic motifs representing three of the Contrades of Siena – Chiocciola (Snail / escargot), Tartuca (Tortoise / turtle) and Leocorno (Unicorn horse). Strung with wire for hanging. Signed “11 (77?) Biena – Name of Contrade - Paula” on verso.

“A contrada (plural: contrade) is generally a district within the Italian countryside. In the city of Siena, the term indicates the 17 urban wards, whose representatives race on horseback in the Palio di Siena, run twice every year in July and August.[1] Each sienese contrada is named after an animal or symbol, with a long history and complicated heraldic and semi-mythological associations.

Chiocciola (Snail) 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.[3]

Leocorno (Unicorn) is 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. Leocorno won the Palio of August 17, 2022, 15 years after its last win on August 16, 2007. Leocorno’s allies are Pantera and Tartuca. Its rival is Civetta (since 1960).

Tartuca (Tortoise) is 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.[6] Winner of the Palio, on July 2, 2009, with Giuseppe Zedde on Gi� del Menhir. Tartuca last won the Palio on 20 October 2018. It is opposed to Chiocciola, while its allies are Leocorno, Nicchio, Onda and Selva.”

Condition

Very Good

Dimensions

9” x 0.5” x 11” (Width x Depth x Height)