The porcelain figurine “Russian Quadrille” from the collection of the Nizhny Lomov Museum of Local Lore was produced in 1968. This is a collectible item manufactured by the Dulevo Porcelain Factory. The sculpture depicts a couple dancing a quadrille in traditional Russian clothing. This figurine was designed by the Soviet sculptor and ceramist Nina Aleksandrovna Malysheva. This is a sculptural interpretation of the popular dance.
The porcelain composition of a young woman and man with an accordion reflects the joyful nature of this dance. The depiction of national images, elegant decorations, posture, gait, and even facial expressions convey the features of Russian quadrille, reflecting its rich traditions.
The Dulevo Porcelain Factory was founded by the merchant Terenty Yakovlevich Kuznetsov in 1832. Within less than 20 years, it became one of the leading porcelain factories in the Russian Empire. Between 1889 and 1917, it belonged to Matvey Sidorovich Kuznetsov, the founder’s grandson. The workshops were equipped with new equipment from France.
In the early 20th century, the factory was Russia’s largest porcelain manufacturer. Its products were known for their high quality, combining snow-white porcelain with gilding and rich gloss glazing. Later, local craftsmen focused on national identity, art, and traditions. This led to the emergence of the Dulevo style known as “agashka”.
After the Russian Revolution of 1917, the porcelain factory was nationalized and became famous for its brightly painted tea sets. Such tea services were mass-produced. In the 1920s, the company started manufacturing propaganda artworks. After the Great Patriotic War, it focused on the production of household porcelain items.
Before joining the
factory, Nina Malysheva (1914–1983) had a varied career, working as a turner,
kindergarten director, and poster painter. In 1942, she started working with
ceramics. By that time, she had already graduated from an art school and received
experience as an art director. She joined the Dulevo Factory in 1950 and
continued working there until the end of her life.
