Imperial Porcelain Factory
The Imperial Porcelain Factory is the oldest porcelain factory in Russia and one of the most important art manufactories in Europe, whose history is directly linked to the Imperial Court, government orders and the development of the national school of decorative and applied arts.
The factory was founded in 1744 in St. Petersburg by decree of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna as the Nevsky Porcelain Manufactory.
It was the first factory in Russia that managed to master its own formula of hard porcelain, which was not inferior to European samples. Already in the second half of the 18th century, the company received the status of an Imperial one and began working exclusively for the Romanov court, creating ceremonial sets, gift vases, sculptures and interior items for residences, diplomatic gifts and solemn ceremonies. In the 19th century, the factory became the most important art center of the country: leading painters and sculptors work here, and a recognizable style of Russian porcelain is being formed, combining classics, academic painting and national motifs.
After the revolution of 1917, the factory continues to operate under the name LFZ — Leningrad Porcelain Factory. During this period, he became one of the symbols of Soviet applied art. It is here that iconic propaganda sets, author's porcelain sculpture, experimental forms and murals are created, which are now recognized as museum classics. LFZ's works are exhibited at international exhibitions, are included in the collections of the largest museums in the world and form an idea of Soviet design of the 20th century.
In 2005, the historical name of the Imperial Porcelain Factory was returned to the company. Today, IFZ is a full—cycle operating manufactory that combines traditional technologies of hand casting, painting and gilding with modern artistic solutions. The factory's assortment includes formal and casual sets, collectible porcelain, author's sculpture, gift items and limited editions. Many products are created according to historical forms and archival sketches, preserving the continuity of more than 280 years of history.
The value of the IFZ brand lies not only in the quality and artistic level of the products, but also in its cultural status. Imperial porcelain is an object with a history, an investment value and a sign of belonging to a tradition of high taste. The factory's products are chosen for status gifts, official events and private collections, perceiving them as a symbol of the Russian art school, time and continuity of eras.
