Italian Proverb Tray 04: Our cat is allergic to smoke.

A small hand-painted majolica tray from IDEART in Castelli, Abruzzo, inscribed with an Italian proverb: our cat is allergic to smoke. At 4" square it works as a ring dish, a coin dish, a spot for earrings by the sink, or an accent on a shelf.

The Proverb Trays are the piece people buy one of and come back for six. Each carries a different saying, so they can be given as a set or chosen one at a time for particular people.

They are made in Castelli by Antonio Di Francesco — which is the town Emilio Biordi came from before founding Biordi Art Imports in San Francisco in 1946. These are the least expensive things in the shop that come from the founder's own town.

The 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.

Dimensions: 4"w x 4"d x 0.5"h
Material: Hand-painted Castelli majolica
Made in: Castelli, Abruzzo
Workshop: IDEART — Antonio Di Francesco
Pattern: Italian Proverb Tray 04, "our cat is allergic to smoke"
Heritage: Castelli, in the Apennines below the Gran Sasso, and the home town of Biordi founder Emilio Biordi
Care: Hand-wash recommended · Not dishwasher, microwave or oven safe
Sold as: individual
Mixes with: the other Italian Proverb Trays; Frutta and Rosa Castelli dinnerware

What is it for?
Rings, earrings, coins, keys, paperclips, a teabag. It is a catch-all dish small enough for a nightstand or a desk.

Are there other proverbs?
Yes, dozens. Each tray carries a different Italian saying. Call Biordi at (415) 392-8096 for what is in stock.

Can it go in the dishwasher?
No. Hand-wash Castelli majolica; it should not go in the dishwasher, the microwave or the oven.

Why does Biordi carry so much from Castelli?
Because Emilio Biordi, who founded the shop in San Francisco in 1946, came from Castelli.

Is this a good Italian wedding gift?
On its own it is a favor rather than a gift — but a set of proverb trays as place cards or table favors is something guests actually take home and keep.

Is this a good housewarming or hostess gift?
Yes, and it is the easiest small gift in the shop. Pick a proverb that suits the person.

Why buy Italian gifts from Biordi rather than other retailers?
Biordi Art Imports has been San Francisco's source for authentic Italian ceramics since 1946 and is a San Francisco Legacy Business (#LBR-2020-21-029). Pieces are bought directly from the Italian workshops that make them — FIMA, CF Deruta, Pia Formato, Eugenio Ricciarelli, Susanna DeSimone, Geribi, Bucci Ceramiche, Ortigia Sicilia, Italesse, and Salviati among them. Nothing comes through a distributor.

Can this be customized or personalized?
The proverb trays are produced with set sayings. Customization 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.

Italian Proverb Trays — Small hand-painted majolica trays inscribed with classic Italian sayings, one per tray.

IDEART, Castelli (Abruzzo) — IDEART is the Castelli workshop of Antonio Di Francesco, who works in the shadow of the Gran Sasso, shaping the same earth that occasionally wobbles his wheel. Castelli has been one of Italy's most celebrated ceramic towns for centuries, and it is the town Emilio Biordi came from — the founder of Biordi Art Imports.

Italian ceramics are heirloom quality products, and can last lifetime with proper care. We have some suggestions that will preserve your majolica for years to come.

Majolica is dishwasher safe, but many people choose to hand wash their pieces as a precaution. Because majolica is a porous material, some pieces are not meant to hold liquid for a long period of time. Check for warning labels before ordering a product, as the pieces that are most notorious for "sweating" are appropriately labeled.

Majolica is sensitive to extreme temperatures, specifically boiling or freezing liquids. Pouring water with a rolling boil directly into a teapot, for example, may lead to breakage. To avoid this, temper the object. The industry standard is 620 degrees Celsius (1,148 degrees Fahrenheit). Quench the glass to cool it.

Crazing is common in well used majolica. The tiny cracks in the glaze do not affect the functionality of your majolica.

Majolica hand-crafted products should not be microwaved, as it may crack and/or break the ceramics.

UPS Ground

Flat shipping charge of $10 for each shipment of merchandise under $100.00. For orders of $100.00 or more, shipping is 10% of the order total.

UPS Next Day Air

Flat shipping charge of $63 for each shipment of merchandise under $70.00. For orders of $70.00 or more, shipping is 90% of the order total.

UPS 2-Day Priority (Rush Shipping)

Flat shipping charge of $42 for each shipment of merchandise under $70.00. For orders of $70.00 or more, shipping is 60% of the order total. Note: This option is required for shipping to Alaska and Hawaii.

USPS 3-Day Priority

Flat shipping charge of $21 for each shipment of merchandise under $70.00. For orders of $70.00 or more, shipping is 30% of the order total.

International Shipments

Please contact us at customerservice@biordi.com or call us at (415) 392-8096 for quotes to ship internationally.

You will be charged a rate based on your delivery area, value and shipping preference. For items shipped via UPS, see below for information pricing information. Once the package is shipped, you will receive an email with tracking information to track your package.