Porcelain Animal Sculptures: From the 19th to 21st Centuries

Animalistics (from the Latin word animal — «animal») — is a genre of fine art that is dedicated to the depiction of animals. Our collection was replenished with figurines of animals and birds, which we purchased both at auctions and at sales.
This genre of art has existed since ancient times. When decorating a shelf with a figurine of a graceful fox, a proud horse or a cheerful puppy, we rarely think about the fact that this art form originated in the Neolithic era, when people began depicting animals on the rocks and walls of caves about 30 thousand years ago.
Sculptural depictions of animals can be found in the art of ancient civilizations — of Assyria, Egypt, Greece, China and others. In ancient times, such depictions often served ritual and religious functions.

Today’s animal artist can either strive to accurately reproduce the appearance and behavior of an animal, or create a certain artistic image. They can endow their creations with emotions, mood and even human traits and actions.

Sculptures created during the Soviet period at the Lomonosov (now Imperial) Porcelain Factory are particularly notable. Beginning in the 1930s, prominent animal sculptors such as I.S. worked there. Efimov, B.Ya. Vorobyov, P.P. Veselov, I.I. Riznich and others. Their expressive “portraits” of animals and birds, made according to their models, are still popular and decorate many interiors.

The animal sculptures presented here vary in time of creation, style, technique, and skill level. However, they are united by their love for animals and the desire to convey their beauty and uniqueness. Each of their authors would probably support the words of the leading sculptor of the LFZ Boris Yakovlevich Veselov: «My creative task is to ensure that my “porcelain animals” show people the beauty of wildlife, help them hear its voice and love it».