Lomonosov Porcelain
lomonosov porcelain |
Collector's
fairs normally have at least one stall devoted to these beautiful
ceramics, often many more.
The
Lomonosov Porcelain Factory was founded in 1744, in St Petersburg,
initially to make fine porcelain for the Russian Royal Family.
It
supplied other European Royal families too, and underwent
several changes of name before settling on its present title.
several changes of name before settling on its present title.
In
the eighteenth century, during the reign of Catherine the Great, the
institution was known as The Imperial Porcelain Factory.
After
the Revolution, it became the State Porcelain Works, and later was
named Lomonosov after the founder of the Russian Academy of Science.
The
range of ceramics produced over the past 255 years is tremendous and
includes vases, plates, dinner services, snuff boxes and numerous
figurines.
lomonosov porcelain |
These
are beautiful and varied, ranging from small models ideal for
grouping on a narrow shelf to large, substantial sculptures perfect
for a focal point in a room.
With
creatures such as tigers, dogs, birds, zebras, rabbits, cats, fish,
raccoons, squirrels, foxes, badgers, mammoths, chipmunks, giraffes
and bears, there's something for everyone.
The
brown bears have a charm all of
their own, and many Lomonosov collectors say that their very first piece was a bear.
their own, and many Lomonosov collectors say that their very first piece was a bear.
Of
course, bears play a great part in traditional Russian history and
folklore, and the Lomonosov kind vary from cuddly cubs to fearsome
sharp-toothed beasts.
lomonosov porcelain |
At
the recent 'Collect 99' fair, new Lomonosov brown bear cubs were
selling for just £5 each.
In
the 1980s, the USSR was undergoing much internal strife. For a while
the importation of Russian ceramics was erratic. Prices soared as
dealers thought they were sitting on treasure-troves, and extremely
common pieces appeared at antique fairs at 'silly money' prices.
Then,
in the 1990s, the wares appeared in shops once more, but the
backstamp had changed, and
the animals and figurines were now marked Russia instead of USSR.
Several
of the smaller pieces cost under £10, and so youngsters looking for
something attractive on which to spend their pocket money might well
enjoy starting a collection of Lomonosov porcelain.
Many
collectors, however, prefer to obtain items with the older USSR
backstamp, and now that prices have stabilised it's possible to buy
some of the more common pieces for little more than the price of a
new, i.e. 'Russia' mark.
A
recent trip to an antique centre found plenty of earlier pieces,
including a hare for £8, a lion cub for £15 and a large dog for
£20.
The
typical lomonosov porcelain IS smooth, rounded sculptures are justly popular.
lomonosov porcelain |
Painted
warm grey, with white, black and ginger markings, he sits upright
with his tail curved around his body.
lomonosov porcelain |
Dark
brown, with lighter brown highlights, and finished in a glossy
glaze, he is very appealing.
lomonosov porcelain |
lomonosov porcelain |
This
charming inkwell will probably cost you around £100 or so. Another
equally attractive item is the she bear with cubs, a vigorous
sculpture depicting a seated bear, paws held protectively over a
cradle containing twin cubs
draped in an orange-red coverlet.
A
much rarer piece is the goat with the little kids, which, like many
other
lomonosov porcelain |
As
with other desirable ceramics, fakes sometimes surface.
It's
possible for an unscrupulous dealer to pass a new piece off as old,
because the backstamps wash off easily. Also, if the 'R' and 'A' are
removed in the word 'RUSSIA', the resulting word reads like an
unclear USSR - but most dealers are honest, and providing you get a
descriptive receipt when you buy, there should be no problems.
Lomonosov
is the largest and, perhaps, best known of the Russian porcelain
companies, but there are many others, including Kiev,
Polonye,Kanakova, Dulevo and Gzhel.
The
latter is particularly famed for its cobalt-blue and white figurines,
which, like Lomonosov, can be obtained in Britain at very reasonable
prices.
The
field of Soviet ceramics is vast, and a short article can barely
scratch the surface.
There
are thousands of beautiful treasures, not only animals, but many
other items, often painted in the exquisite, rich glowing colours
beloved by the Russian people.
lomonosov porcelain |
Hopefully,
more porcelain, not only by Lomonosov but also by other USSR
companies,will be featured in a future article.
If
you would like to find out more about Soviet collectables, contact
The Soviet Collectors Club, PO Box 56, Saltbum-by-the-Sea, TS12 1YD.
Next
time you're browsing
around your local antiques
market, take a look at the Lomonosov porcelain admire the modelling,
feel the quality.
around your local antiques
market, take a look at the Lomonosov porcelain admire the modelling,
feel the quality.
And
no doubt you too will be smitten by these gorgeous figurines.
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