Quality Blue and White pottery is being produced in both the world-famous blue on white cobalt design and the colorful Maiolica earthenware. Gzhel is more than just fine china, it is an embodiment of the Russian artistic spirit. Because each piece of Gzhel (Gzel) is painstakingly handcrafted and painted, it is a piece of artwork that is individually unique. Each porcelain piece is made with the highest attention to detail, by people who devote their whole lives and careers to accentuate the art of Gzhel porcelain making, making it a testament to the highest quality of work ethic. Each of our blue and white porcelain - Gzhel items is 100% authentic and is stamped with the original factory seal!
The name Gzhel (Gzel) became associated with russian pottery even earlier, around the XIV century. The oblast of Gzhel could not be a more perfect location for ceramic production – the temperate climate, the rich and luscious forests, crystal clear lakes, and, very importantly, the strong presence of rich clay deposits. All this attracted craftsmen from all across Russia to this humble little village.
In time, the masters of Gzhel learned to produce really high quality faience, which was said to be comparable to English creamware. Porcelain is produced similarly, but unlike stoneware it becomes a translucent white and as such is highly desirable. After the porcelain is crafted, the unglazed porcelain pieces are painted with special, cobalt blue paint. Then the painted products are burnt in the high-temperature ovens to dry the paints. This step is very vital to the process, because the high levels of heat solidly and darken the sleek, cobalt blue color that makes Ghzel so well sought after. Then the products are coated with a special glaze and are burnt for the second time. For centuries, the secret of making porcelain had been a Chinese secret and only the finished products were exported. However, when Russia was able to produce its own porcelain, it undercut the high cost of imports from China or Western European producers.
By the 1830s-40s most of Russian porcelain was produced in Gzhel. Gzhel ware became increasingly popular not only in Russia, but also abroad. By the middle of the 19th century Gzhel became the principal pottery supplier to the whole country. However, the collapse of the Russian Empire, the Bolshevik Revolution and the Great Patriotic War caused Gzhel production to waver due to lack of demand and materials. It was also during this time that Ghzel production as a whole was facing a crisis, as there was an on-off gap on production for over three decades. As a result of the crisis in 1972, the Gzhel Association was established with six Gzhel manufacturing factories located in several villages as associates. However, this crisis brought about a new-age Renaissance for Ghzel production as a whole. This renewed interest prompted young artists to explore new design methods. The painting became richer, more complex, and more contemporary artistically. Whilst this new generation of artists explored new themes and artistic styles, they also strove to maintain traditional styles that made Gzhel the great folk art it is known for. It is this confluence of the old and the new that has corroborated to make a very unique artistic style that has never been seen before.
Now, Blue and White pottery is once again being produced in both the world-famous blue on white cobalt design and the colorful Maiolica earthenware. Gzhel pottery is seen in hundreds of varieties: from dinner sets, samovars, vases, candlesticks, and clocks, to lamps, statuettes, and figurines. Now, the Gzhel styles can be seen permeating into the fashion industry, the interior design, and there even exists Gzhelka, new highly artistic Russian vodka. Gzhel is more than just fine china, it is an embodiment of the Russian artistic spirit. Because each piece of Gzhel is handcrafted and singularly painted, it is a piece of artwork that is individually unique. Each porcelain piece is made with the highest attention to detail, by people who devote their whole lives and careers to accentuate the art of Gzhel porcelain making, making it a testament to the highest quality of work ethic, Russian people believe in. Owning a blue and white porcelain set truly lets one indulge in the great beauty, culture, and history of the Russian culture, right within one’s home.
Each of our blue and white porcelain items is 100% authentic and is stamped with the original factory seal!
Saint Petersburg Global Trade House (including its on-line stores STPgoods.com & RusKniga.com) is the OFFICIAL AND EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR OF ALL "GZHEL" PRODUCTS IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
Edited by Mikhail Kholodov
