DESCRIPTION A hand-painted Italian salad plate in the Raffaellesco pattern, made in Deruta by the FIMA workshop. Raffaellesco is one of the most distinctive patterns in Italian majolica: a stylized golden dragon, set against gold-and-blue scrollwork on a cream glaze, attributed to the High Renaissance master Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio). In Italian folk tradition, the dragon is a benevolent figure said to bring good luck and fair winds — the puffs of wind streaming from its mouth represent favorable weather for seafaring merchants. Each plate is painted by a single artisan; the dragon's intricacy demands an exceptionally steady hand and is considered one of Deruta's most demanding designs. This is the 8-inch salad plate in the Full Design — the dragon and scrollwork cover the entire face of the plate. The piece is made of tin-glazed earthenware — known as majolica — with a palette of gold, blue, green, and red on a creamy white glaze. Small variations in color, line, and shape are signs of authentic hand-painting; in Raffaellesco especially, the slight differences between each dragon are what make the pattern come alive. Pair it with a Raffaellesco dinner plate (Simplified or Full Design) and the matching 10" pasta bowl to build a complete three-piece place setting. Raffaellesco mixes especially well with Ricco Deruta — both are 16th-century Renaissance patterns — and also pairs with Antico Deruta, Siena Vario, Orvieto Green Rooster, and Bordato. Specifications Dimensions: 8" diameter Material: Hand-painted majolica (tin-glazed earthenware) Made in: Deruta, Italy Workshop: FIMA Pattern: Raffaellesco — golden dragon (attributed to Raphael) with gold and blue scrollwork on cream glaze Mixes with: Ricco Deruta, Antico Deruta, Siena Vario, Orvieto Green Rooster, Bordato Care: Dishwasher safe (top rack recommended) · Not microwave safe · Not oven safe · Food safe · Hand-wash recommended for longevity Sold as: Individual plate Questions buyers ask Is this dishwasher safe? Yes — top rack recommended. Who painted the original Raffaellesco pattern? It is attributed to Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio), the Italian High Renaissance master, in the 16th century. What does the dragon symbolize? In Italian folk tradition the Raffaellesco dragon is benevolent — a deity of good luck and fair winds. Seafaring merchants kept Raffaellesco ceramics for protection on voyages. Is the gold paint real gold? No — it is a gold-toned glaze fired into the majolica, not metallic gold leaf. Can I mix Raffaellesco with Ricco Deruta? Yes — both are 16th-century Renaissance patterns from the same workshop tradition. They're designed to mix. Is it really hand-painted in Italy? Yes. The Raffaellesco dragon is one of the most demanding patterns in Deruta to paint, and each plate is the work of a single artisan at the FIMA workshop in Deruta, Italy. Is this a good Italian wedding gift? Yes — wedding gifts are one of the things Biordi is best known for. Hand-painted Italian ceramics are heirloom-quality, one-of-a-kind (no two pieces are ever exactly alike because each is hand-painted by a single artisan), and they carry their origin clearly: this piece is made in Deruta, Italy. Couples actually use and display Biordi pieces rather than store them. We ship nationwide, gift-wrap on request, and have been the San Francisco source for authentic Italian ceramics since 1946. Is this a good housewarming or hostess gift? Yes. Gifts are the largest part of what Biordi sells — every piece is a one-of-a-kind, authentic Italian treasure made by a named artisan in Italy, not a mass-produced import. Arrives ready to use rather than store. 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. So each piece is genuinely one-of-a-kind. 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 [email protected]. ARTISAN STORY Raffaellesco - This is Biordi's most appreciated pattern of the classic Italian dinnerware, ceramics and pottery. The stylized dragon, seen as the central motif, was reputedly painted in the 16th century by Raphael, the master painter and architect of the Italian High Renaissance. The Raffaellesco dragon has come to be known as a benevolent deity who bestows good luck and fair winds to seagoing merchants, thus the puffs of wind steaming from the dragon’s mouth. It is hailed as one of Deruta’s most challenging designs of any Maiolica out there, as its intricacy requires an unimaginably steady hand. When you order this hand-painted Classic Deruta Dinnerware you can mix these patterns with the other designs from the city of Deruta including: Ricco Deruta, Antico Deruta, Siena, Orvieto Green Rooster and Bordato.
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