Porcelain figurines first appeared in China, where porcelain originated in, and then similar figurines began to be made in Europe. High-quality porcelain products were as valuable as precious metals; porcelain was even sometimes called white gold. Figurines made out of this material were a sign of luxury and prestige, not everyone could afford it. The 19th century was the peak of the popularity of dolls and figurines collecting.
Many porcelain compositions were inspired by famous artists' works. Figurines of dancers and ballerinas, ladies and gentlemen, circus performers, and musicians were very popular. Meissen porcelain from Germany was considered the best in Europe. White translucent Meissen porcelain, after firing coated with a feldspar-based glaze, became available for sale at stores in 1713. It was mainly ivory colored. The Meissen factory produced tea and coffee serving sets and small grotesque figurines made according to the drawings of Jacques Callot, which emulated Chinese art.
Ivan Ikonnikov was considered to be one of the high-quality figurine manufacturers in Russia. His factory was located in the Elizavetino village. The factory produced not only the porcelain figurines, but also faience pottery and porcelain dishes. Ikonnikov bought the plaster molds for the figurines from an industrialist Popov, whose factory had been closed. At that time the molds were passed on from one manufacturer to another.
The Museum houses the porcelain statuette of an old peasant woman. The old, leaning forward, woman, is holding a basket by the handles, which stands on a low bench. The statuette could be used as a jewelry box for smaller items. It is painted with overglaze (the paint sits on top of the glaze). Only the details of the figure are glazed: the old head scarf, her hands, and the podium with the relief. One can see the Ivan Ikonnikov Factory branding on the figurine base. The inscription was stamped on top of the glaze with red paint between 1875 and 1879. Each stamp looked like a large silver medal, which was awarded to the factory at the Moscow Polytechnic Exhibition.
The exhibit was donated to the Museum by Lidia Kochkina in 2002. According to her, the statuette had belonged to a famous Ishim merchant Olympus Yemanakov.
Many porcelain compositions were inspired by famous artists' works. Figurines of dancers and ballerinas, ladies and gentlemen, circus performers, and musicians were very popular. Meissen porcelain from Germany was considered the best in Europe. White translucent Meissen porcelain, after firing coated with a feldspar-based glaze, became available for sale at stores in 1713. It was mainly ivory colored. The Meissen factory produced tea and coffee serving sets and small grotesque figurines made according to the drawings of Jacques Callot, which emulated Chinese art.
Ivan Ikonnikov was considered to be one of the high-quality figurine manufacturers in Russia. His factory was located in the Elizavetino village. The factory produced not only the porcelain figurines, but also faience pottery and porcelain dishes. Ikonnikov bought the plaster molds for the figurines from an industrialist Popov, whose factory had been closed. At that time the molds were passed on from one manufacturer to another.
The Museum houses the porcelain statuette of an old peasant woman. The old, leaning forward, woman, is holding a basket by the handles, which stands on a low bench. The statuette could be used as a jewelry box for smaller items. It is painted with overglaze (the paint sits on top of the glaze). Only the details of the figure are glazed: the old head scarf, her hands, and the podium with the relief. One can see the Ivan Ikonnikov Factory branding on the figurine base. The inscription was stamped on top of the glaze with red paint between 1875 and 1879. Each stamp looked like a large silver medal, which was awarded to the factory at the Moscow Polytechnic Exhibition.
The exhibit was donated to the Museum by Lidia Kochkina in 2002. According to her, the statuette had belonged to a famous Ishim merchant Olympus Yemanakov.
