2: Imperial Porcelain. Historicism

Door with Porcelain Plaques

1844

Imperial Porcelain Factory

Porcelain, with polychrome overglaze painting; wood, bronze and gilding

In Nicholas I's time the Imperial Porcelain Factory produced a considerable number of richly decorated articles for the decoration of interiors. Porcelain was used to make fireplaces, clock cases, frames for paintings and mirrors and decorative insets for furniture and doors. The monumental arched double door featured in the Porcelain Museum display was created in 1844 and installed in the "room for sample articles and the sale of ready-made items". The leaves of the door are embellished with porcelain plaques set in fine bronze mounts. The plaques bear allegorical and ornamental compositions in the style of Pompeian frescoes.