The hand-painted scene of a cherubic boy playing the violin on this plate is wonderfully classic Italian. The term Cappello da Prete translates to "priest hat" and refers to the wide, flat edge of the plate. During the time of the Renaissance, sauces or olive oil were put in the middle of such plates while cheeses and meats or vegetables were arranged around the edges to be dipped into the sauces. In effect, this plate is particularly excellent for serving antipasti as well as for regular meals. This lovely plate was handcrafted and hand-painted by artisans of Ceramiche Rampini in the Italian town of Gubbio at the foot of Mt. Ingino, a small mountain in the Apennine range. The town of Gubbio was one of the centers of the production of Italian pottery, or maiolica, during the Renaissance, and the contemporary production of the Rampini family respects the traditional methods and designs. This platter is food safe and can be used at the table to serve. It is also wired to hang as wall decor.