{"product_id":"contrade-24kt-espresso-cup-saucer-4-oz-dragon","title":"Contrade 24kt Espresso Cup \u0026 Saucer, 4 oz : Dragon","description":"\u003ch4\u003eDESCRIPTION\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Contrade espresso cup and saucer is hand-painted in Siena and finished with 24-karat gold by the Santa Caterina workshop. It belongs to Biordi's Contrade from Siena collection, which honours the seventeen historic districts of the city.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Dragon stands for \u003cstrong\u003eDrago\u003c\/strong\u003e, the Dragon district, traditionally home to bankers. Its symbol is a flying golden dragon carrying a banner, its colours pink and green trimmed with yellow. Each of the seventeen Contrade competes for pride in the Palio, the bareback horse race run in the Piazza del Campo that dates back to 1656.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll seventeen designs are available, so you can collect the full set over time or choose the single district that means the most to you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe small imperfections such as the difference in color, shape, diameter or small bubbles that form inside, do not constitute a defect but testify that it is actually an artisanal product.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Espresso (demitasse) cup, 4 oz, with matching saucer\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-painted Italian majolica with 24kt gold detailing\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Siena, Tuscany, Italy\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWorkshop:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ceramiche S. Caterina (Santa Caterina)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePattern:\u003c\/strong\u003e Contrade — Dragon (Drago), the bankers' district of Siena\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeritage:\u003c\/strong\u003e The 17 Contrade of Siena, celebrated at the Palio (a race dating to 1656)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-wash recommended to protect the 24kt gold · Not microwave safe · Not dishwasher safe\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSold as:\u003c\/strong\u003e One espresso cup with saucer (all 17 Contrade designs available)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMixes with:\u003c\/strong\u003e The other 16 Contrade designs and Biordi's Siena and Tuscan tableware\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eQuestions buyers ask\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the Dragon design represent?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Dragon is the emblem of Drago, the district traditionally home to bankers. Its symbol is a flying golden dragon carrying a banner, and its colours are pink and green trimmed with yellow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I collect all 17 Contrade?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes. All seventeen Siena districts are made as 24kt espresso cups, so you can build a full set or pick the single Contrada tied to someone's family, neighbourhood, or a memorable trip to Siena.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the gold real?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes — each cup is finished by hand with 24-karat gold. Because it's real metal, wash by hand and keep these cups out of the microwave and dishwasher.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a good Italian wedding gift?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes. A 24kt Contrade cup is a small luxury with real meaning — choose the couple's district, or give a pair to start their collection. It sits beautifully alongside other Siena and Tuscan pieces from Biordi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a good housewarming or hostess gift?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes. An espresso cup finished in real gold is a memorable, affordable way to bring a piece of Siena to someone's table.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy buy Italian gifts from Biordi rather than other retailers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nBiordi Art Imports has been San Francisco's source for authentic Italian ceramics since 1946, voted Best Overall Retailer in the SF Bay Guardian's Best of the Bay reader's poll for five straight years, and is a San Francisco Legacy Business (#LBR-2020-21-029). We import directly from the artisans we represent — including Ceramiche S. Caterina, FIMA, CF Deruta, Pia Formato, Eugenio Ricciarelli, Susanna DeSimone, Geribi, Bucci Ceramiche, Ortigia Sicilia, Italesse, and Salviati — so every piece is the real thing, hand-painted in Italy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan this be customized or personalized?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCustomization and personalization are available on select pieces. Eugenio Ricciarelli, FIMA, Pia Formato, Geribi, and CF Deruta accept special orders — a name, date, or occasion painted on the piece, or a different size or shape in the workshop's existing pattern. Lead time is typically 3–6 months because each piece is hand-painted to order in Italy. Contact Biordi Art Imports at (415) 392-8096 or customerservice@biordi.com.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eArtisan Story\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSanta Caterina Siena 24kt Espresso Cups \u0026amp; Saucers\u003cbr\u003e\nCeramiche S. Caterina, established in 1949 in Siena, has a rich legacy in ceramics. Founded by Marcello Neri, who took ownership in 1961, the studio has become a hallmark of quality craftsmanship, blending traditional techniques with contemporary artistry. Marcello, a Siena native and graduate of the Institute of Art, honed his skills under Fausto Corsini and further developed his craft in Montelupo Fiorentino. Fabio, son of Marcello, now paints for Santa Caterina.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir pieces have been presented as gifts to President Bill Clinton, Emperor Akihito, and Pope John Paul II, cementing their status as prominent cultural ambassadors for Italian art.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CERAMICHE CATERINA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45012489142323,"sku":"hxu1791525485196","price":107.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0670\/3490\/6675\/files\/contrade-24kt-espresso-cup-saucer-4-oz-dragon_1.jpg?v=1791525491","url":"https:\/\/www.daisyloom.shop\/products\/contrade-24kt-espresso-cup-saucer-4-oz-dragon","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}