The Story of Raphael's 500-Piece Service. It Has Been Assembled in Tsarskoe Selo for Nine Years

For nine years now, the Tsarskoye Selo Museum-Reserve has been searching through private collections and collecting items from the Raphael ceremonial service, one of the finest works of the Imperial Porcelain Factory. This luxurious service for 50 persons was ordered by Alexander III at the end of the 19th century, and it took 20 years to make. After the revolution, the authorities sold this unique ensemble, and its items were scattered around t…