The central motif of the Raffaellesco pattern is a stylized dragon. The dragon was reputedly first painted by Raphael, master painter and architect of the Italian High Renaissance. Raffaellesco is a benevolent deity, bestowing good luck and fair wind to the seagoing merchants of the era. You will notice the puffs of wind exhaling from Raffaellesco's mouth. Raffaellesco is one of the most popular and enduring majolica patterns.
