Dmitrovsky Porcelain Factory: history, traditions, modernity

In Russian everyday life, porcelain was introduced by the royal hand of Peter I. Under his rule, the dishes were imported from Europe, only the well-off people were available. A little later porcelain sets were presented as a valuable gift. After Chinese porcelain, the most valuable were the European brands (Sevrsky, Meissenia), huge amounts of money were spent on their acquisition, which was completely unjustified. In 1744, the Empress Elizabeth ordered the construction of a "porcelain manufactory" near St. Petersburg, so the era of domestic porcelain began. Dmitrov Porcelain Factory went down in history as the first private factory.

Franz Gardner and import substitution

For a long time, the production of porcelain was only in the public domain, but there will always be a privateer who wants to compete if not, then compose the company to the state enterprises. In 1766, the Englishman Franz Yakovlevich Gardner, on the basis of the existing factory, Urusov opened his own factory. The overriding goal for the entrepreneur was the desire to compete with European porcelain, and replace them with the market, replacing the domestic high-quality products. Speaking in modern rhetoric, he decided to "import" the European goods and the attempt was successful.

First of all, raw materials were required for the organization of the business, and Gardner, having traveled almost the whole country, found a clay deposit in Chernigov region (Little Russia). In order not to make blunders and not to invent a bicycle, he drew the specialist Franz Gattenberg (professor of the University of Geneva) to work. And it went so well that from 1777 to 1783, four service sets for the Empress Catherine II were issued at the factory and were presented to her. The experience turned out to be successful, the owner of the factory visited the highest audience in the royal palace, after which he was given the right to stamp with the image of the Moscow coat of arms, which was akin to a quality sign.

Successful merchant

Franz Gardner, along with piece goods, launched a mass production of porcelain dishes. The first workers were specialists drawn from Europe, and the renowned Meissen was the technologist. Russian porcelain differed little from the European in its qualities and artistic execution, but it was much more affordable in price.

In Russia, highly valued products of the factory and with pleasure bought everything that the European producers could not afford. In 1771, about seventy employees were employed in production, after 10 years their number doubled. All jobs were occupied by Russian specialists, only the manager and the artist were discharged from abroad.

Franz Gardner was able to find his own style in the production of porcelain, the number of samples of castings counted in the hundreds. In addition to the dishes, unique porcelain salon sculptures were poured and painted here, the authors of which were famous artists.

In the Kuznetsovsky community

After the death of the founder, the Dmitrov Porcelain Factory was considered the best of all private factories in Russia. The case passed into the hands of the heirs: for a short time, until his death, the enterprise was engaged in the eldest son of the founder, and then his wife. In her hands, the factory lost almost all of its positions, but afterwards, her children took up the job, production revived. The technology of manufacturing faience was mastered. In 1829, the products received gold at the First Industrial Exhibition. In 1855, the manufactory was given the right to place on the products the state stamp of the two-headed eagle.

Throughout the 19th century, the Dmitrov Porcelain Factory confirmed the quality of its products at exhibitions, since 1856 it has become one of the suppliers of products to the Imperial Court. At the end of the century the heirs sell the enterprise to Matvei Kuznetsov. He acquired not only production facilities, but also the entire huge collection of forms, models and classic Garder drawings.

Kuznetsovsky period

Dmitrovsky Porcelain Factory (Verbilki) went to the magnate Kuznetsov with some faded glory, but with a solid turnover. By the time of the acquisition, the factory produced goods for 208 thousand rubles a year, and the number of employees totaled more than 700 souls. Kuznetsov used all the tangible assets he had received and the company's history of a century and a half to fully revive her fame.

The case expanded, the client base was fully preserved, thanks to a wise decision to use the stamp of the Dmitrovsky plant on all products. The new owner did not want to update the range of products, which was not relevant. The number of items of goods totaled more than 4 thousand units of popular dishes and figurines. The jubilee dates at the plant were marked by the release of exclusive collections. Thus, the 100th anniversary of the battle of Borodino, the 300th anniversary of the reign of the Romanovs, were captured.

Soviet porcelain

After nationalization, the factory became officially called the Dmitrov Porcelain Factory. In the post-revolutionary period, output was significantly reduced, and the one that was produced, was modestly decorated with decals (decals) or represented agitation products.

Big popularity, in 1930, u got a service Dmitrov porcelain factory "The Humpbacked Horse", as well as other works created by the brush of the talented sculptor Orlov SM. During the Great Patriotic War, the production of porcelain fell significantly, but the period was marked by bright works. The "Battle for the Motherland" service was created (author A. Chechulin), a set with images of the great generals "Suvorov", "Alexander Nevsky", "Kutuzov", sets with Soviet military orders (author Demorrei T.) was released.

Modern production

In 1991, the Dimitrov Porcelain Factory became a joint stock company, the official name: CJSC Porcelain Verbilok. Since 1995, the daughter enterprise DO "Promysl Verbilok" operates. At the new enterprise, the administration and employees are busy reviving the traditions laid down by the founders of the plant.

In 1996, the company won prizes at international exhibitions in Birmingham, as well as in Mexico. Since 2007, the plant has been supplying products to the Kremlin as part of the Guild of Suppliers. At present the company is called "Gardner's Manufactory", but for many people the old name Dmitrov Porcelain Factory is still familiar. The products are produced in several collection lines.

The collection "Franz Gardner" revives the traditional for 19-20 centuries forms of porcelain. Masters of the company make personal inscriptions on gift items (tea couples, sets, figurines). Also, family services are produced, on which the artists will write family coats of arms, monograms or selected drawing. The company produces services for different purposes, tea and coffee couples, fruit pots, vases, children's sets.