Porcelain was introduced into the Russian everyday life by the royal hand of Peter I. During his reign, dishes were imported from Europe, only wealthy people could enjoy such pleasure. A little later, china sets were presented as a valuable gift. After Chinese porcelain, the European brands (Sevrsky, Meissensiy) were the most valuable; huge funds were spent on their acquisition, which was completely unjustified. In 1744, Empress Elizabeth commanded the construction of a “porcelain manufactory” near St. Petersburg, 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, porcelain production was only in state jurisdiction, but there will always be a private trader who wants, if not to compete, to form a company for sovereign enterprises. In 1766, the Englishman Franz Yakovlevich Gardner, on the basis of the existing Urusov factory, opened his own factory. The most important task for the entrepreneur was the desire to compete with European porcelain samples, and oust them from the market, replacing domestic quality products. Speaking in modern rhetoric, he decided to "import substitute" European goods and the attempt was successful.
First of all, raw materials were required for organizing the business, and Gardner, having traveled almost the whole country, found a clay deposit in Chernihiv region (Little Russia). In order not to make mistakes and not to reinvent the wheel, he brought to the work of a specialist - Franz Gattenberg (professor at the University of Geneva). And the business went so well that from 1777 to 1783, four order services for 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 tsar’s palace, after which he received the right to stamp the Moscow coat of arms, which was akin to the quality mark.
Successful businessman
Franz Gardner, along with piece goods, launched the mass production of porcelain. The first workers were specialists discharged from Europe, and the technologist was the celebrated Meissen. Russian porcelain was not much different from European in quality and artistic performance, but in price it was much more affordable.
In Russia, the products of the factory were highly valued and everyone who could not afford European manufacturers was happy to buy. In 1771, about seventy workers 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 managed to find his own style in the manufacture of porcelain, the number of samples of castings in the hundreds. In addition to the dishes, unique porcelain salon sculptures poured and painted here, sponsored by famous artists.
In the Kuznetsovsky community
After the death of the founder, Dmitrov Porcelain Factory was considered the best of all private factories in Russia. The matter passed into the hands of the heirs: for a short time, until his death, the eldest son of the founder, and then his wife, were engaged in the enterprise. In her hands, the factory lost almost all of its positions, but after that her children got down to business, production revived. The technology of manufacturing faience was mastered. In 1829, products received gold at the First Industrial Exhibition. In 1855, the manufactory received the right to put on the products the state brand of a double-headed eagle.
Throughout the 19th century, the Dmitrov Porcelain Factory confirmed the quality of products at exhibitions, since 1856 it has become one of the suppliers of products to the imperial court. At the end of the century, heirs sell the company to Matvey Kuznetsov. He acquired not only production facilities, but also the entire huge collection of forms, models and classic Garder drawings.
Kuznetsovsky period
The Dmitrov Porcelain Factory (Verbilki) went to tycoon Kuznetsov with a somewhat faded fame, but with a solid turnover. By the time of the acquisition, the plant produced goods worth 208 thousand rubles a year, and the number of employees totaled more than 700 souls. Kuznetsov used all the material values and the one and a half-century history of the company that he inherited to fully restore its glory.
The business expanded, the customer base was completely preserved, thanks to a wise decision to use the stigma of the Dmitrov plant on all products. The new owner did not want to update the product range, which was not relevant. The number of product items totaled more than 4 thousand units of popular dishes and figurines. Anniversary dates at the factory were marked by the release of exclusive collections. Thus, the 100th anniversary of the battle of Borodino, the 300th anniversary of the Romanov reign, were captured.
Soviet porcelain
After nationalization, the manufactory became officially called the Dmitrov Porcelain Factory. In the post-revolutionary time, the output was significantly reduced, and the one that was released was modestly decorated with decals (decal) or represented propaganda items.
In 1930, the service of the Dmitrov Porcelain Factory "The Little Humpbacked Horse", as well as other works created by the talented sculptor S. Orlov, received great fame. During the Great Patriotic War, porcelain production decreased significantly, but the period was marked by bright works. The service “Battle for the Motherland” was created (by A. Chechulin), a set with images of the great commanders “Suvorov”, “Alexander Nevsky”, “Kutuzov”, sets with the image of Soviet military orders (authored by T. Demorrei) was released.
Modern production
In 1991, the Dimitrovsky Porcelain Factory became a joint-stock company, the official name: Porcelain Verbilok CJSC. Since 1995, a subsidiary enterprise DO Verbilok Fields has been operating. 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 received 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 its membership in the Suppliers Guild. Currently, the company is called "Gardner Manufactory", but for many the old name Dmitrov Porcelain Factory is still familiar. Products are available in several collection lines.
The Franz Gardner collection revives traditional forms of porcelain for the 19th and 20th centuries. Masters of the company make inscriptions on gift items (tea pairs, sets, figurines). Family services are also issued, on which artists will write family coats of arms, monograms or a selected drawing. The company produces sets for various purposes, tea and coffee couples, fruit bowls, vases, children's sets.