Vase with goats

Russian Imperial Porcelain Factory. 1906-1916. Porcelain, under-glaze decoration

During the reign of Nicholas II (1894–1917), the Russian Imperial Porcelain Factory was one of the leading porcelain manufacturers in Europe. Several items of earthenware created at that period were designed in the style of the Danish Royal Porcelain Factory: Danish porcelain was appreciated for its fresh approach to earthenware - it was characterised by simple forms, motifs from nature, and softer shades of under-glaze colour. This fashion was mediated to Russia by the wife of Emperor Alexander III, Maria Feodorovna, daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark. The close political ties between the two countries increased Russia’s interest in Danish porcelain. Thus, specialists of the Danish Royal Porcelain Factory were invited to St. Petersburg as consultants.
The vase represents the above-described Danish style. The decoration was inspired by the set of grey-white goat figurines issued in Copenhagen at the turn of the century. The mark on the bottom of the vase is intriguing: the sign of the Imperial Porcelain factory has been painted over – three blue waves similar to the mark of the Danish Royal Porcelain Factory have been added by hand. This is possibly an attempt at forging, with the aim of reselling the vase as a product of the Danish factory, although the output of the Russian Imperial Porcelain Factory was also of very good quality and highly appreciated.