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Lomonosov Porcelain Figurines

Badger
Raccoon
​The Porcelain Factory in Leningrad (LFZ) has been operated by many entities over the centuries. One of the oldest porcelain manufacturers in Russia, it was established in 1744 by the act of Elizabeth Petrovna (the Empress of Russia and the daughter of Peter the Great), and enjoyed the Tsar's patronage.  In the early days, LFZ produced utensils and porcelain items exclusively for the Tsar's family. By the mid-19th century the factory had taken as its name the Imperial Porcelain Manufactury, and was selling its fine tableware and figurines more generally. In 1918, following the revolution in Russia, it became the State Porcelain Manufactury [GFZ, in Russian "ГФЗ" or Государственный Фарфоровый Завод] and, in 1925, the Mikhail V. Lomonosov Factory [Russian -- Ленинградский фарфоровый завод имени М. В. Ломоносова], as tribute to the renowned Russian Scientist. Following the break up of the Soviet Union in 1991, LFZ was privatized in 1993 as the "Lomonosov Porcelain Factory," nationalized again in 1999, subsequently sold off (in 2002), and, finally, renamed the Imperial Porcelain Manufactury (IFZ) [Russian  "ИФЗ" or  Императорский фарфоровый завод] in 2005. 

Many of the original molds were taken over by the Soviets in the years following 1918, with return to private control after 1991. Although the premium remains on the early Imperial productions, as the Soviet figures have aged, they too have increased in value.  Modern LFZ continues to produce pieces from the old molds as well as creating original works. Unscrupulous vendors have been known to forge early marks on the post-Soviet pieces.

The figurines from the Soviet era are known for their smooth, stylized forms and sophisticated glazing. They have a soft, not overly glossy, sheen. There can be a great deal of variability in the application of the details, which gives each piece its individual character.

For comments on the LFZ makers' marks, see the bottom of this page.

Woodland


Pet & Farm


Exotics

​Springbok
Tiger Cub​
​Leopard​
Zebra Foal
Panda Bear
Recumbent Tiger

Bears


Arctic


Dogs


Lomonosov Marks

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--black mark CCCP in pentagram, ЛФЗ beneath.​ Designated for domestic market, not for import.
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--red mark ЛФЗ [LFZ], and blue mark ЛФЗ [for LFZ :Leningrad's Lomonosov Porcelain factory, used between 1930 and March 1950. of the Soviet Union
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--Mark В/С - [LFZ quality mark, V/sort for "highest quality"] 1950s-1970s.

Mark Д appears on several Lomonosov Porcelain Factory pieces from 1950s.

Also the words "Made in the USSR."

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--red mark ЛФЗ [LFZ] with "Made in Russia" stamped below. This was the first post-Soviet export backstamp, from 1991- 2001. 
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--red ЛФЗ or a blue ЛФЗ [LFZ] with the words "Hand Decorated, 1744, St. Petersburg, Russia". 2002-2005.
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--"Imperial Porcelain, 1744, St. Petersburg", along with the double-headed imperial eagle. Post 2005-present day.
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--red ИФЗ or a blue ИФЗ [IFZ] ​ Monogram for "Imperial Porcelain Factory."  Designated for domestic market, not for  import (?)

Lomonosov Sculptors & Painters

This is another thing I don't know that much about, but I am learning. All information here is from the internet, so I cannot attest to the accuracy. I'm just trying to compile it here as a point of interest for myself.

Yevgeny Charushin (1901-1965). Leningrad, Russia.
Russian graphic artist, illustrator of children's books. Since the mid 1930th he worked, as a sculptor, on LFZ (ЛФЗ) Leningrad's Porcelain factory (name Lomonosov), and designed his famous animalistic sculptural compositions.
Charushin's animal figurines: "Marten", "Sable" and "Kid" - have an extremely beautiful design, sculptural plasticity and an unusually well-aimed nature.
In 1945 Evgeny Charushin received the title of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation.
In 1965 he was posthumously awarded with the gold medal at the international exhibition of children's books in Leipzig (Germany).
His books were published in England, USA, Japan, India, Bulgaria and many other countries, their total circulation is more than sixty million copies.
His famous animal sculptures are also on exhibition in the collection of State Ceramics Museum "Kuskovo.".(One of the world's largest holders of ceramics and glass collections from antiquity to modern times). Exhibited at the jubilee exhibition " Russian porcelain. 250 years of history" 1995.

Nikolai Muratov (1908 -1994). In 1931 graduated from the Leningrad Art and IndustryColledge.
Muratov's animal figurines: "Scottish Terrier" (with Mokh)
In 1938, Muratov was admitted to the Leningrad's organization Union of Soviet Artists (LOSSH) .
In the early 50s , as a sculptor farforist, he successfully worked on the animalistic sculptures. Muratov created a whole series of tiny little animals and birds released by Leningrad Lomonosov Porcelain Factory. The most famous among them, Muratov's squirrel, as well as tiny hen with chickens, dogs, cats and other small porcelain animals, made with subtle humor and kindness. His famous animal sculptures are also on exhibition in the collection of State Ceramics Museum "Kuskovo.".(One of the world's largest holders of ceramics and glass collections from antiquity to modern times). Exhibited at the jubilee exhibition " Russian porcelain. 250 years of history" 1995.
 
Mikhail Mokh (1911-1980)  Artist illustrator, painter on porcelain.
Mokh's animal figurines: "Scottish Terrier" (with Muratov)
During WWII he was a member of the State Hermitage museum security team.. From 1949, Mokh was the chief artist of the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory. He is widely known for his famous painted porcelain figurines.

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