Review of Gzhel statuettes

The centuries-old history of Russia is reflected in Gzhel porcelain. Today these products are considered primordially Russian symbols, like nesting dolls and Khokhloma. That is why exquisite figurines from Gzhel are often chosen as gifts for foreign guests.

The Gzhel Porcelain Factory began its work back in 1818. Product demand increased particularly in the 1970s. The Gzhel statuettes were produced in several factories during the Soviet era. Many craftsmen have worked on the creation of sophisticated products in the characteristic blue and white colors.

Now JSC "Gzhel Porcelain Factory" is one of the largest and most developed enterprises in Russia, producing traditional porcelain with hand-made cobalt painting. The company employs hundreds of craftsmen who have inherited experience. The team of specialists is faithful to old traditions, but welcomes the use of advanced production technologies. Quality is constantly improving, the range of products is expanding, technological innovations are being introduced, artistic skill and the volume of goods are increasing.

Gzhel porcelain is produced on the basis of unique white clay mined in the local region. There are almost no sand impurities in it, due to its high plasticity, it lends itself well to firing. The extracted material is thoroughly cleaned and carried through all stages until a slip is obtained - a liquid substance for casting porcelain blanks. Different factories have a special technology and their own additives to clay.

The main advantages of the products are the beauty of performance, extreme precision of shapes, special strength and resistance to wear. All Gzhel products undergo a two-stage firing. Initially - immediately after the creation of the workpieces, to give them stable strength before further processing. The second time is at the production stage, during painting and glazing. First, cobalt paint is applied to the products, and then the figures are immersed in glaze and fired again.

The final firing gives the glaze an absolute transparency comparable to that of glass. The painting is protected by the glaze, which contributes to its wear resistance. Porcelain products created using the Gzhel technology remain intact for many years, even with regular use in everyday life.

The souvenir products of the Gzhel plant are appreciated for their extraordinary design, hand-painted blue on snow-white, symbolism and universal execution. Such a present will not leave connoisseurs of beauty indifferent. Souvenirs from Gzhel are distinguished by their durability and variety of forms, therefore they are often and gladly collected.

They produce a series of funny animals, figurines of people in everyday life scenes, dishes, boxes and much more. Since the 1930s. the products are interesting with colorful Soviet stories. Since the 1940s, a stage has begun associated with collecting, in particular, we are talking about author's products. The statuettes of N.I.Bessarabova of the period of the 1940s, as well as her creations created in the 1950s, are especially in demand.

Propaganda figurines from Gzhel of the communist period (30–70 years of the XX century) are of particular value for modern collectors. They strive to replenish their collections with ancient sculptures depicting workers, peasants, athletes and, of course, pioneers. Remarkable are the fairy-tale plots produced in the USSR: Snegurochka, Alyonushka with a goat, Little Red Riding Hood, Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf, the Old Man and the Golden Fish, Emelya with a pike, characters from the "Turnip" fairy tale with a colorful mouse. They did not just convey stories - they put theses of kindness, mutual assistance, honesty, and modesty into their creations.

The decorative sculptures by the artist N. Bessarabova deserve special attention. A goat with a goose, a tit, a duckling, a husky - these images attract with their laconicism and expressiveness of forms.

Rare items of the Soviet period: a bather, a dancer, a horse breeder, an embroiderer are welcome statuettes in the collections of connoisseurs of graceful forms. Gemini - Gzhel, astronauts, pigeons, husky, bear, foal and horses - all of them are symbols of their time, allegorically or ironically reflecting the nature and life of the Russian people. These are recognized works of art, collected in amazing images and scenes from life, conveying the feelings and emotions of the Gzhel masters.

The modern style of Gzhel is based on the works of L. P. Azarova, N. I. Bessarabova and N. B. Kvitnitskaya. But instead of plots from Russian fairy tales came cartoon characters, symbols of the year in Christmas tree decorations and fridge magnets, characters from Soviet films, figurines of animals, children and adults. Themed areas are popular and in demand, as always: professions, collectible figurines for the 2018 football championship.

The direction of the wedding theme is popular: quivering storks, swans, pigeons, figurines of mothers with children and entire families. Symbols of home comfort - bast shoes and horseshoes - for good luck in the house. Gifts for March 8 - young ladies, princesses, dancers. Easter paraphernalia - angels, wall icon cases, Easter eggs, bells, crucifixes.By February 23, the collections are replenished with colorful heroes, captains, horsemen.

Do not go into oblivion and miniature figures of people and animals with sports equipment. Cobalt painting endows Gzhel porcelain with a peculiar charm, since it contains virtually all shades of blue, expressed in unique patterns. Thanks to the ability to paint porcelain in this way, talented craftsmen from Gzhel have become famous and famous in history.