The edition was solemnly presented in the space of JSC “Imperial Porcelain Factory” in Saint Petersburg.
Selected works of Russian and European imperial porcelain from the second half of the 18th to the early 20th century from the collection of Ekaterina Borodina are published for the first time. At the collector's initiative, a large portion of the items were identified and traced beyond Russia and returned to their homeland. Their publication is an important contribution to scholarship and will not leave art lovers and connoisseurs indifferent.
The book presents more than 250 objects of applied art. Among them are pieces produced by the Imperial Porcelain Factory in Saint Petersburg, the Meissen and Berlin porcelain manufactories. The chronology covers the reigns of Russian emperors from Elizabeth Petrovna to Nicholas II. The bulk of the collection consists of palace ceremonial and everyday service sets that were previously used in the Winter Palace and other imperial and grand-ducal residences.
Ekaterina Borodina is a philanthropist, benefactor, and collector whose activity is aimed at preserving Russia's cultural and historical heritage. She also supports contemporary art and returns unique works of art with historical and cultural value to Russia.
Ekaterina Borodina's unique porcelain collection was assembled over 20 years and today numbers more than 2,000 items. The works have been attributed by leading researchers and experts in decorative and applied arts. The collection also includes items from private porcelain factories: Gardner, Popov, Batenin, Kornilov, Yusupov, and others. Based on her collection, the collector plans to publish new editions and create a private museum in the future.
Participants of the round table held in conjunction with the presentation at the IPF unanimously noted the museum value of the collection and the particular importance and significance of the event — the release of a catalogue representing a fundamental scholarly publication with luxurious illustrations and fascinating historical notes.
Tatiana Tylevich, General Director of JSC “Imperial Porcelain Factory,” Candidate of Economic Sciences, Honorary Member of the Russian Academy of Arts, noted that the collection presented in the book is a concentration of deep knowledge and love for Russian history, Russian porcelain, and the life of our country.
“For us this is very important and valuable. And on behalf of all the employees of the Imperial Porcelain Factory we would like to thank Ekaterina Pavlovna for the contribution you make to the development of Russian porcelain and, in general, to the development of Russian history. It is gratifying that this magnificent collection is in Russia. Our words of gratitude also go to Irina Bagdasarova, the author of the book. After all, there cannot be a collection without a catalogue. So today we have a wonderful event when the collection truly becomes a collection.”
The author of the book, Irina Bagdasarova, Candidate of Art History, curator of the collection of Russian porcelain and ceramics, leading research associate and scientific secretary of the Department of the History of Russian Culture at the State Hermitage Museum.
“I will emphasize that a large team worked on the book — researchers, the publisher, and the project coordinator Tatiana Tsyganova. The items published in the book were originally selected by the owner of the collection, Ekaterina Borodina.
To say that working with such wonderful objects was pleasant is an understatement. It is captivating. It is even hard to believe that so many stunning items can be in a single private collection. And some pieces are simply unique, not found in museums in Russia or abroad. For example, the service of Grand Duchess Ekaterina Pavlovna and three other trousseau services for Russian princesses. The composition of the Kremlin service, created in the Russian style to a design by the architect Fyodor Solntsev, is splendid. And here I must say that at the end of last year Ekaterina Borodina donated four “Kremlin” plates with images of Russian double-headed eagles to the State Hermitage. Borodina's gift was the best acquisition of 2024, which was on display in the museum for about three months — the exhibition's run was extended twice due to the high public interest.”
Book spread. Photo: A. Dmitriev and M. Yaryshev
Collector of works of art, philanthropist and benefactor Ekaterina Borodina: “For me porcelain is about tactility, about the eyes — when you look at an object, at sculpture and painting in porcelain, you get an incredible aesthetic pleasure. I hadn't thought about a book before because I'm not a very systematic person. So what the main inspirers of this edition — Tatiana Tsyganova and Irina Bagdasarova — have done is pure delight for me. I really want to share with my close ones, with people who, like me, in the Soviet era were deprived of Russia's Romanov-period history, to show objects from that time. Through these objects I learned the history of Russia, understood who we are. I realized that these objects should be in Russia. I think it is very important for people abroad to understand not only through music, ballet, and painting, but also through porcelain, the grandeur of our country, so that they can realize how many talented people we have. I believe this is my calling. I am happy that my love of porcelain finds admirers. And I greatly appreciate that there are so many worthy specialists beside me who share my interests.”
The presentation also included Yan Vilensky, chief curator of the Department of Western European Applied Art at the State Hermitage Museum, curator of European porcelain, art historian; Tatyana Kuyukina, director of the Tver Regional Art Gallery, where a large exhibition from Ekaterina Borodina's private collection is planned for later this year; Elena Vorushilina, head of the Department of Porcelain and Ceramics at the All-Russian Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art; and Grigory Kunevich, collector and researcher of Soviet porcelain, art historian.
Round table. Ekaterina Pavlovna Borodina speaks.
Ekaterina Pavlovna Borodina (left) at the Imperial Porcelain Factory
Book spread. Photo: A. Dmitriev and M. Yaryshev
The book “Porcelain of the Russian Emperors, 18th–early 20th centuries. From the collection of Ekaterina Borodina. Selected. Author: Bagdasarova, Irina Radikovna. – Moscow: Virtual Gallery Publishing, 2024. – 408 pp.: ill.” is already available for purchase at the Moskva bookstore, and will soon arrive at other shops and libraries across the country.
Book spread. Photo: A. Dmitriev and M. Yaryshev
