The History of the Chicken Pitcher

The origin of the chicken pitchers dates back to the early Renaissance period 
in the Republic of Florence.  The wealthiest and most powerful family in the 
republic at the time was the Medici family.  Its patriarch was the famous 
Lorenzo the Magnificant who had one brother, Giuliano.  Their only serious 
rival was the Pazzi family.  

The Medicis' wealth was primarily based upon their large land holdings, 
which were worked by peasants in the nearby villages.  Occasionally, the 
Medicis would throw large festivals in these villages for the peasants.  
Giuliano, in particular, enjoyed throwing a party at the slightest suggestion.

Knowing this, the Pazzis had someone suggest to Giuliano that he host a 
festival in the small village of Gallina, where none had been held before.  
Giuliano agreed and the Pazzis plotted to kill Giuliano and his guards at 
night after the festival when they would be most vulnerable (due to vast 
amounts of wine drunk).  

In the fall of 1478, Giuliano and his entourage including guards, cooks 
and craftsmen went to Gallina (which no longer exists) to throw the party.  
The Pazzis hired assassins to sneak into town and carry out their plot.  
They would have succeeded except that when they crossed the yard to 
kill Giuliano, they woke the chickens.  The frenzied cackling woke Giuliano 
and his guards.  The assassins were caught, of course, and executed.  
Giuliano was so thrilled that the chickens had warned him that he threw 
another festival the following night.  He ordered his artisans to create 
ceramic copies of chickens to be used as wine pitchers.  These he gave 
to the peasants and their friends for good luck in warding off evil.  

It is now an Italian tradition to give a chicken pitcher to friends and 
family as a symbol of good luck.  We hope you enjoy using your chicken 
pitcher or find it a great gift for friends and family.