Fine porcelain
from Russia is becoming exceedingly collectable and crops up nowadays
at most antiques fairs. Although made by several factories including Lomonsov,
Polonye, Kiev, Gzhel, Kanakova and Dulevo, it is the Lomonosov ornaments
with which most collectors first become familiar.
Pictured right: A porcelain group of a fox and a beaver
by the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory, Leningrad, circa 1960s
A humoristically depicted couple of a fox and beaver after a fable by Sergei Mikhalkov, marked under base with blue overglaze factory Cyrillic monogram 'LFZ', incised '4' and painted in grey '21'
4 7/8 in. (12.5 cm.) high. Sold for £1,000 at Christies, London, October 209. Image Copyright Christies.
The Lomonsov Porcelain Factory in St Petersburg was founded in 1744, initially
to supply the Russian Royal Family with fine porcelain. During the reign
of Catherine the Great it was called The Imperial Porcelain Factory, while
after the Revolution it became the State Porcelain Works. Later still
it was renamed Lomonosov in honour of the founder of the Russian Academy
of Science.
Pictured left: Two Porcelain Figures
Lomonosov Factory, Ussr Period
The First Modelled As A Soldier, Seated Playing The Accordion, The Second As Two Naval Soldiers Glancing Through A Book
5¼ In. (13.3 Cm.) And 7¾ In. (19.7 Cm.) High (2). Sold for £313 at Christies, London, Nov 2008. Image Copyright Christies.
The animal pieces are popular, especially with new collectors, and many
different species can be found including pandas, birds, badgers, rabbits,
giraffes, deer, chipmunks, zebras, dogs, squirrels and cats. Brown bears
are a particular favourite, and are typically Russian, because the bear
plays such an important part in the folklore of that country. Sometimes
the Lomonosov bears look friendly, but others are fierce, with sharp tee th.
The
typical sculptures from this factory are easily recognised by their smooth,
rounded appearance, which often takes on a modernistic form. They are
hand-painted, normally in naturalistic colours of brown, tan, beige, black
and grey, and their siz es range from tiny figures just an inch high,
to large, dramatic sculptures.
Some of the pieces feature 'Yakuts', children
who resemble eskimos in white and grey outfits, while other ornaments
are based on Russian folk or fairy tales. Many additional items are available
too, especially dinner services, the most famous pattern being 'Cobalt
Net', a dramatic diamond-shaped design in deep blue and gold.
The Lomonosov
Porcelain company is still active, but many collectors prefer the earlier
pieces, even though the new models are often identical. It is the backstamp
which is different.
Twenty years ago, Russia underwent a great deal of
internal strife, and the export of ceramics stopped. When the goods began
to arrive in Britain once more, the backstamp had changed - where once
the mark had read 'Made in USSR' it now read 'Made in Russia'.
It is the
USSR mark which most collectors seek, and at the moment the more common
pieces are still plentiful, though always get a receipt, as some unscrupulous
dealers are forging the mark.
Related
Note: This site is not affiliated with Lomonsov.
It is designed to provide information to collectors of Lomonsoc Porcelain.
