This website presents our knowledge and research on this important aspect of the Royal Collection. As of April 2026 it will not be regularly updated and new research on this topic will sit within the main website.

Sculpture

Sculpture, silverware, medals and other objects

AFTER RAPHAEL (1483-1520)

A design for a salver

c.1853-1876

Albumen print | 30.5 x 24.5 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 854250

A photograph of a pen and ink drawing by Raphael (c.1510-1511) now in Royal Library, Windsor (RCIN 912737) depicting a design for a salver.

This drawing is on the verso of the "Massacre of the Innocents", a red chalk study by Raphael for an engraving by Marcantonio Raimondi (see RCIN 850421 for a photograph of the recto). The drawing on the verso, a sketch of battling creatures, was likely intended as a design for metalwork. There is a related drawing in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (inv. no. WA1846.211, see 854248 for a photograph of it) which is now attributed to a member of Raphael's workshop. Evidence shows that Raphael was providing designs for metalwork for his patron Agostino Chigi in 1510; this design may perhaps be connected with a Chigi commission. 

According to Ruland (1876) and Passavant (see Bibliographic References) Agostino Chigi commissioned designs from Raphael for two salvers to be executed in bronze by Cesarino da Urbino.
  • Creator(s)

    After Raphael (1483-1520) (draughtsman)

    Associated with Cesarino Rossetti (goldsmith)

  • 30.5 x 24.5 cm (sheet of paper)

  • Acquired for the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection (c.1853-76)

  • Subject(s)
    • Science, Medicine and Technology
      • Home economics
        • Tableware
          • Salvers (table equipment)
      • Engineering & Technology
        • Military engineering
          • Arms (weapons)
            • Tridents
    • Religion & Theology
      • Religions and faiths
        • Religions of antiquity
          • Classical mythology
            • Neptune (mythology)
            • Cupid
    • Natural Sciences & Mathematics
      • Biological sciences
        • Zoology
          • Animals
            • Mythical creatures
              • Sea centaurs (Mythical creatures)
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    Clayton 1999 : Clayton, M. Raphael and his Circle. Drawings from Windsor Castle, London pp.80-85, no. 20 verso

    P&W : Popham, A.E. & Wilde, J., 1949. The Italian Drawings of the XV and XVI Centuries in the Collection of His Majesty The King at Windsor Castle, London p. 310-311, no. 0793

    Joannides 1983 : Joannides, P., 1983. The Drawings of Raphael, with a complete catalogue, Oxford p. 205, no. 289v

    Other number(s)

    Ruland p. 308 A.III.4