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Imperial Porcelain

The Imperial Porcelain Factory was established by Dmitry Ivanovich Vinogradov in 1744 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Created by order of Empress Elizabeth, it was the first porcelain factory in Russia and produced exclusively for the Romanov family and the Russian Imperial Court. It was during this time that many countries were desperate to uncover the secrets of making good quality hard-paste porcelain. A gifted engineer who studied in Saxony invented the hard-paste formula that helped established The Imperial Porcelain Factory.

During Paul I's reign from 1796 to 1801, Imperial's porcelain continued to develop according to the Court's tastes, which at this point was in the style of Neoclassicism with great Hellenic and Roman influences. In 1806, production was divided into two departments: one for producing expensive, low-profit presents for the Royals, and another for producing ordinary porcelain for the nobility. The factory continued to have close ties with the Royals, with Nicholas I demanding that all porcelain be handed to him for confirmation.

By the 20th century, Imperial became one of the leading porcelain factories in all of Europe. After the abolition of the monarchy in 1917, the factory was renamed State Porcelain Factory. During the early years of the Soviet Union, they produced propaganda wares such as plates and figurines featuring the Soviet elite. In 1949, about two decades after being renamed the Leningrad Lomonosov Porcelain Factory, they produced their best-known pattern: cobalt net. The design, based on Catherine the Great's dinnerware pieces, featured intersecting cobalt blue lines with inverted tear drops and 22 karat gold accents. In 2005, the factory returned to its original name, the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory.


Quick Facts

  • Many still refer to the factory by its former name, the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory
  • Recently, Imperial has produced hand-made copies of the Imperial porcelain in the State Hermitage Museum collection
  • Imperial established their own museum in 1844, followed by a library containing books on art and engravings

Recommended Items at Auction

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A RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN FACTORY GURIEV SERVICE PLATE
Feb 16, 12:00 PM EST
A RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN FACTORY GURIEV SERVICE PLATE
by Helios Auctions
Est: $1,000- $1,200
$7001 Bid
Antique Imperial Amphora Turn Austria Porcelain Camel Rider
Mar 01, 10:00 AM EST
Antique Imperial Amphora Turn Austria Porcelain Camel Rider
by Mebane Antique Auction
Est: $100- $10,000
$501 Bid
Large Turn Austrian Imperial Amphora Porcelain Bedoin on Camel
Mar 01, 10:00 AM EST
Large Turn Austrian Imperial Amphora Porcelain Bedoin on Camel
by Mebane Antique Auction
Est: $100- $10,000
$501 Bid
A KORNILOV MANUFACTURER PORCELAIN LIDDED CUP, C. 1900.
Feb 16, 12:00 PM EST
A KORNILOV MANUFACTURER PORCELAIN LIDDED CUP, C. 1900.
by Helios Auctions
Est: $600- $800
$4001 Bid
11 Kornilov Bros Imperial Russian Porcelain Dinner Plates Red & Green c. 1910
Feb 23, 10:00 AM PST
11 Kornilov Bros Imperial Russian Porcelain Dinner Plates Red & Green c. 1910
by Taylor & Harris
Est: $2,000- $2,500
$1,6000 Bids
Russian Imperial Manufactory The Tsarskoe Selo Porcelain Dinner Plate 1900
Feb 23, 10:00 AM PST
Russian Imperial Manufactory The Tsarskoe Selo Porcelain Dinner Plate 1900
by Taylor & Harris
Est: $1,000- $1,200
$8000 Bids
11 Kornilov Bros Imperial Russian Porcelain Rimmed Soup Bowls c. 1915
Feb 22, 9:00 AM PST
11 Kornilov Bros Imperial Russian Porcelain Rimmed Soup Bowls c. 1915
by Carnegie's Auction Gallery
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$1,5000 Bids
Gardner Imperial Russian Porcelain Bowl, circa 1890 Burgundy Red Floral Bouquet
Feb 22, 9:00 AM PST
Gardner Imperial Russian Porcelain Bowl, circa 1890 Burgundy Red Floral Bouquet
by Carnegie's Auction Gallery
Est: $200- $300
$1500 Bids
A rare Russian porcelain, gilded and painting vase in chinoiserie style. Period of Emperor Nikolay I
Feb 27, 5:00 PM EET
A rare Russian porcelain, gilded and painting vase in chinoiserie style. Period of Emperor Nikolay I
by Baltic Auction Group
Est: €3,000- €3,500
€2,5000 Bids
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Dunn Bennett & Co Glencoe Plates
Feb 22, 9:00 AM EST
Dunn Bennett & Co Glencoe Plates
by Keystone Auctions LLC
Est: $50- $150
$250 Bids
Pair Russian Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich Imperial Porcelain Plates c 1890
Feb 22, 9:00 AM PST
Pair Russian Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich Imperial Porcelain Plates c 1890
by Carnegie's Auction Gallery
Est: $4,000- $6,000
$2,5000 Bids
RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN PERIOD OF ALEXANDER I.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM CST
RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN PERIOD OF ALEXANDER I.
by Jackson's International
Est: $1,500- $2,500
$1,2000 Bids
A FINE PORCELAIN URN ATTRIBUTTED TO IMPERAIL PORCELAIN FACTIORY, PERIOD OF NICHOLAS I.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM CST
A FINE PORCELAIN URN ATTRIBUTTED TO IMPERAIL PORCELAIN FACTIORY, PERIOD OF NICHOLAS I.
by Jackson's International
Est: $3,000- $5,000
$2,4000 Bids
SCARCE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN TRAY & CUPS, PERIOD OF ALEXANDER I.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM CST
SCARCE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN TRAY & CUPS, PERIOD OF ALEXANDER I.
by Jackson's International
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$8000 Bids
LARGE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN CHARGER.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM CST
LARGE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN CHARGER.
by Jackson's International
Est: $800- $1,200
$6000 Bids
TWO PORCELAIN PLATES FROM THE YUSUPOV SERVICE, PAUL I.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM CST
TWO PORCELAIN PLATES FROM THE YUSUPOV SERVICE, PAUL I.
by Jackson's International
Est: $2,500- $5,000
$2,0000 Bids
TWO RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN PLATES, PERIOD OF PAUL I.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM CST
TWO RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN PLATES, PERIOD OF PAUL I.
by Jackson's International
Est: $250- $500
$2000 Bids
PAIR RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN PLATES, GOLDEN SERVICE.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM CST
PAIR RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN PLATES, GOLDEN SERVICE.
by Jackson's International
Est: $500- $1,000
$4000 Bids
PR IMPERIAL RUSSIAN PORCELAIN PLATES, GOTHIC SERVICE.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM CST
PR IMPERIAL RUSSIAN PORCELAIN PLATES, GOTHIC SERVICE.
by Jackson's International
Est: $800- $1,200
$6000 Bids
8 PCS FROM THE IMPERIAL GOTHIC COTTAGE SERVICE.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM CST
8 PCS FROM THE IMPERIAL GOTHIC COTTAGE SERVICE.
by Jackson's International
Est: $800- $1,200
$6000 Bids
RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN SERVICE PIECES.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM CST
RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN SERVICE PIECES.
by Jackson's International
Est: $800- $1,200
$6000 Bids
RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN, COBALT SERVICE.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM CST
RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN, COBALT SERVICE.
by Jackson's International
Est: $500- $750
$4000 Bids
IMPERIAL RUSSIAN BOWL AND PLATE, PERIOD OF NICHOLAS I.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM CST
IMPERIAL RUSSIAN BOWL AND PLATE, PERIOD OF NICHOLAS I.
by Jackson's International
Est: $300- $500
$2250 Bids
PAIR OF INTERESTING RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN TAZZAS.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM CST
PAIR OF INTERESTING RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PORCELAIN TAZZAS.
by Jackson's International
Est: $750- $1,000
$6000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Imperial Porcelain


Jackson's International

Jackson's International

Carnegie's Auction Gallery

Carnegie's Auction Gallery

Mebane Antique Auction

Mebane Antique Auction