Ortigia Sicilia: Carrier X-large Jungle Bag

The extra-large Ortigia Sicilia carrier bag in the Jungle print — zebras, leopards, toucans and tropical flora, the same pattern that runs across Ortigia's lacquered trays and gift tins. Built from sturdy material, and the biggest bag in the range.

At this size it takes a full grocery run, a beach day, or a weekend's worth of clothes. The Jungle print is Ortigia's most recognisable design, so the bag reads as a statement piece rather than a tote you hide in the car.

All Ortigia products are made by small family companies that pride themselves on the quality of their work. The decorative design is by Sue Townsend and draws on exotic Sicilian images and colours. Ortigia Sicilia was featured in HBO's The White Lotus, filmed at Sicily's San Domenico Palace in Taormina, where the line is also sold.

Size: Extra-large — the largest Ortigia carrier bag
Pattern: Jungle — zebras, leopards, toucans, tropical flora
Brand: Ortigia Sicilia
Construction: Sturdy material, built for repeat use
Use: Shopping, beach, travel, everyday carry
Sold as: Individual bag

How big is extra-large?
Big enough for a full grocery run, a beach day, or a weekend's clothes. It's the largest carrier bag Ortigia makes.

Is this a gift bag or a real bag?
A real bag, made from sturdy material and built for repeat use.

What is the Jungle print?
Ortigia's best-known pattern — zebras, leopards, toucans and tropical flora. The same design appears on the lacquered trays and gift tins.

How does it compare with the orange and Giraffe carrier bags?
Same construction, different print and size. This is the largest; the orange is the classic everyday size; the Giraffe carries Ortigia's giraffe pattern.

Can I match it with a Jungle tray?
Yes — Biordi carries the Jungle Safari pattern as 16" and 21" lacquered round trays in black, red and yellow.

Where is it made?
By Ortigia Sicilia — founded in Sicily in 2006 by Sue Townsend.

Is this a good Italian wedding gift?
On its own it's a small gift rather than a wedding present. It works well filled with Ortigia soaps or bath salts. For the wedding itself, Biordi's hand-painted Deruta ceramics and Murano glass are the stronger registry choice. We ship nationwide and gift-wrap on request.

Is this a good housewarming or hostess gift?
Yes, especially filled — the extra-large size holds a soap set, a candle and a hand cream with room to spare, which makes the bag part of the gift. Add Florentine gift wrap at checkout if you'd like it sent finished.

Why buy Italian gifts from Biordi rather than other retailers?
Biordi Art Imports has been San Francisco's source for authentic Italian ceramics and gifts since 1946. Voted Best Overall Retailer in the San Francisco Bay Guardian Best of the Bay readers' poll for five consecutive years. Designated a San Francisco Legacy Business (#LBR-2020-21-029), and the city declared May 1 "Biordi Art Imports Day" in 2021. Every piece comes from a named Italian artisan, family workshop, or heritage house we work with directly — FIMA, CF Deruta, Pia Formato, Eugenio Ricciarelli, Susanna DeSimone (from the famous Palermo ceramic family — her father painted with Picasso), Geribi, Bucci Ceramiche, Ortigia Sicilia, Italesse, and Salviati. Not a stock-photo listing, not a mass-produced import, not a reproduction.

Can this be customized or personalized?
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.

Jungle — Ortigia Sicilia's best-known pattern: zebras, leopards, toucans and tropical flora, made across lacquered trays, carrier bags, and gift tins.

Ortigia Sicilia — Siracusa, Sicily — a privately owned Italian soap and scent company founded in Sicily in 2006 by Sue Townsend. The range is formulated using natural products indigenous to Sicily and inspired by the aesthetics, colours and scents of Italy's most historic and tropical region. All Ortigia products are made by small family companies; the decorative design is by Sue Townsend.

The name Ortigia comes from the small island at the edge of the ancient fortified city of Siracusa, on Sicily's southeastern coast. The streets of Ortigia are crumbling baroque façades of great splendour looking out on three sides to the sea, and the Piazza del Duomo is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. This part of the island is known as "la Sicilia Orientale" for its proximity to Africa and almost tropical climate.

Sicily carries a colourful history of conquest, invasion and assimilation — Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Aragonese and Bourbons all left their mark. That layered culture inspired the creation of the Ortigia range.

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.