Review of ballerina figurines

Dance is one of the oldest arts. Beautiful images of dancers often inspired artists and poets to create striking works. Capturing plastic movements in porcelain sculpture - this idea emerged only at the beginning of the twentieth century. This article describes the beautiful products created by the craftsmen.

Porcelain figurines of ballerinas are real works of art from a white solid material. High-quality sculptors are working to create a small masterpiece.

An artist draws a sketch, then a plaster model is created. The initially rough form gradually takes on the features of a fragile and refined sculpture. This is painstaking work in which every detail is important. Sometimes a model is assembled from many parts. Only after approval is the model put into production.

The statuettes are created not by one person, but by a number of talented craftsmen: artist, sculptor, molder.

Russian ballet at the beginning of the twentieth century gained worldwide fame. Ballet dancers in Russia were very popular, they were real stars. They were loved, worshiped, dedicated to poetry, created portraits and paintings. For the embodiment of grace and light elegance, porcelain has become the ideal material for creating images of Russian dancers during a performance. Such miniatures were very popular in the USSR; fragile beauties were often placed behind glass in a sideboard among festive sets.

In 1950-60. the sculptor D.I. Ivanov created porcelain figurines based on the ballet by I.Stravinsky's "The Firebird". Dancers T. Karsavina and M. Fokin are depicted in the fairy-tale images of Ivan Tsarevich and the Firebird. Rich gilding, patterns in the Russian style, folk costumes, hand-painted.

The figurine of T. Karsavina is very popular. Feathers slide to the ground, a peacock's eye pattern on the bodice, arms folded, waist curved. LFZ produced it in different design options: multicolor, black-red-gold, blue-blue.

Tamara Karsavina served as a source of inspiration for the sculptor Serafim Sudinin. The dancer is captured performing the role of Sylph in the ballet of the same name to music by J. D. Schneitzhofer. The work of authorship is kept in the funds of the Hermitage. Released in 1913. In the original, there are two cupids on the pedestal at the bottom. There are also painted figurines in white.

The beauty has only one fragile support - the toe of her right leg, her head thrown back, an arched waist, her left leg soars in the air. The idea to create a sculpture on one support came to the head of the IPE director when, in the museum of the Sevres plant in France, he saw a sculpture frozen on two fingers.

Another work of the Dmitrov Porcelain Factory of the Soviet period "Cat Ballerina", by sculptor Mikhail Intizaryan. The dancer in the form of a cat carefully hid, long pointed ears and a fluffy tail complement the character's image. In a pair to her, DFZ released a statuette "Aistenok". Both are dedicated to the famous ballet production for children to the music of D. L. Kalebanov "Aistenok".

Interesting that the first role of the kitty was played in 1937 by the very young Maya Plisetskaya, Aistenka was played by Elena Vanke. Both figurines were released in the early 1950s at the Verbilki plant. Iridescent glaze, gold patterns, also available in white.

The sculptor V.I.Sychev created a ballet cycle inspired by the images of Russian ballerinas. They were produced by the Leningrad Porcelain Factory (LZFI). Female figures are depicted in dance, plasticity and gestures convey the dynamics of movement.

Natalia Dudinskaya, with her arms outstretched, as the bird-girl Syuimbike from the ballet Shurale decorated using the technique of chandeliers (mother-of-pearl paints).

White Swan performed by Galina Ulanova in the ballet "Swan Lake". Softness and smoothness are embodied in hard porcelain, mother-of-pearl tint (chandeliers), gilding.

The part of Mercedes performed by Nina Stukolkina from the ballet Don Quixote. The figure of a woman with a fan in her hands, a pale face framed by black hair, the dance seems to break the camp in half, but she is motionless - only her arms and legs move. There is also a pair composition from the same performance - a duet, a Spanish dance. This rare pair of gold painted chandeliers.

"Ballerina with a flower" - a girl in a snow-white tutuleaning on toes and stretching slightly forward, holds a flower in his hands. Chandelier technique, gilding.

Composition "Before the performance" - two female figures in suits are preparing to go on stage: one of the girls straightens the dress of the other. There is an option with gilding and mother-of-pearl paints, there are unpainted ones.

Figurine "Ballerina puts on pointe shoes" author Malysheva N.A., underglaze and overglaze painting, gilding, produced at the Dulevo plant.

Luxurious M. Plisetskaya made of porcelain in the role of Katrin, author Chechulin G. D. Overglaze painting, gilding. In the same factory, she was made by M. Plisetskaya in the part of Odette from the ballet "Swan Lake" by the same author, there are painted ones and not.

The appearance of aristocratic gizmos is closely related to the history of European porcelain. Germany was one of the first countries to create small masterpieces; the first figures were executed in the Rococo and Baroque styles.

European porcelain began to be produced in Meissen. The sculptor J.G. Kirchner in 1731 received an order from the king to make large animal figures for the Japanese Palace in Dresden. The fashion for German figurines quickly spread throughout Europe.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the sculptor Paul Scherich created five compositions from the Russian Ballet series. Antique figurines have long become a huge rarity.

A striking example of European art - "Ballerina before the performance"... The doll girl sits and puts on a pointe, throwing one leg over the other. Slicked back hair, face down. White hard porcelain was released in the 50-60s. XX century.

The Wallendorf porcelain manufactory was opened in 1763 in the town of Thuring. In 1785 he began to produce porcelain figurines.

Graceful composition "Ballerina" this brand belongs to one of the most popular series among collectors - young dancers.

Fragile girl is made by hand. The beauty is wearing leotards and a light tutu. The charming and gentle young dancer raised her arms gracefully, her waist gently curved. Light patterns emphasize the tenderness and airiness of the product.

The Wallendorf brand often produced figurines of dancing women, two figurines from the "Swan" series depict girls performing the part of a swan. White dress, graceful movements of arms and legs: one beauty represents a swimming bird, and the other one taking off. Natural colors, gilding, fine art painting.

Images of girls can take a special place in the collection, tenderness and grace appears in the silhouettes of children. Tiny and young, the movement traces defenselessness and charming grace. There is a girl in a white dress and a girl in a blue tutu, natural colors, fine painting and gilding.

Weimar production was founded for over 200 years, in June 1790, by Christian Speck. The Thuringian manufactory began to produce the famous Weimar porcelain, which was highly valued at the court of the king of Saxony.

Just look at the elegant 1960-70 series. Two dancers performed in the same manner: "Ballerina tying pointe shoes" and "Ballerina with a mirror". The girls are captured in the moment before the performance, sitting on poufs. One, in a luxurious dress, straightens her shoe, the other holds a mirror and face powder. The decoration uses thin underglaze and overglaze painting, natural colors. They will become a bright accent in the interior and a great gift.

Very beautiful figurines are produced by the Rudolf Kammer brand. "Ballerina" in a handmade lace porcelain dress. The pleats of the skirt look like real lace, the holes in the fabric add waffle to the product. The flowers on the dress are painted with colored glaze, the stand is decorated with gold patterns.

The Italian company Pavone makes modern porcelain figurines of high quality. Long-lasting and aesthetic figures are decorated with special paints, the color palette is up to 4000 tones. Delicate tones, natural colors, pearlescent shades, gift wrapping.

Valerio Sole produces delicate and fragile products: girls-dancers, just mastering the art of ballet, plastic and delicate. Luxurious paints, handmade, chandelier technique. This is a great gift and decoration in the interior.