FEATURES ARCHIVE

A Recipe For Success
Founded in 1744 during the reign of Elizabeth I, the Imperial Porcelain Factory was originally conceived to provide ceramics exclusively for the Romanov family and for the Imperial Court. On an undercover mission to unearth the secret recipe for porcelain, Dimitrii Ivanovich Vinogradov invented an independent method for manufacturing a paste similar to the Chinese and Japanese versions, before going on to found the Imperial factory. The soup plates shown opposite form part of the first large table service produced by the factory, represnting one of the finest examples of early Russian porcelain. Initially serving 25 people during the reign of Elizabeth I, it was later expanded to accommodate 60 people under the reign of Nicholas I in 1838.

A New Size and Scope
Over time, the factory expanded and developed new designs. The addition of a new kiln in 1756 enabled them to produce larger pieces of porcelain than had previously been possible. The verrière shown in the photograph was amongst the first of these larger items, diligently copied from the French model made in Sèvres. Depending on the type of wine being served, the verrière was filled with ice or clear water to cool the glasses to the appropriate temperature before drinking

Snuff and Macaroons
Disguised here as a macaroon box, the beautiful bouquet covered snuff box was created around 1760. The corners are moulded with rocailles and the attention to detail on the inside cover is like no other. It depicts a multi-coloured pastoral sporting scene and is marked with the Imperial double-headed eagle, a sign of prestige recognized by any user.

The Golden Age of Catherine II
Not only was she the most renowned Empress of Russia, Catherine the Great was also a devoted patron of the arts. From opera to literature, she loved intellectually and aesthetically pleasing things. During her reign, the porcelain factory was reorganized, new painters were hired and the quality of the porcelain produced reached new heights. It was a period of excellence and innovation. The cup and saucer set shown here is one of the rarest pieces produced in the lat 1770s.