The Theme of Orientalism in Russian Porcelain in the 18th–19th Centuries

This work examines orientalist motifs in Russian porcelain of the 18th-19th centuries. On the material of porcelain collections from Russian museums, the change in the painting and ornament of arts and crafts in the Russian Empire under the influence of the art of Central Asia, Turkey and North Africa is considered. Traditionally, orientalist motifs were generalized in the concept of exoticism in Russian arts and crafts. This research investigates orientalist motifs in Russian porcelain from formal and stylistic points of view. In addition, this work contributes towards a new understanding of orientalist motifs in porcelain painting and decoration. The aim includes following tasks: to consider chronologically the work of Russian porcelain factories; to identify sources of orientalist motifs and ornaments; to analyze available historical sources; to assemble a base of orientalist porcelain from Russian collections in order to create a catalog. The analysis of the theme of orientalism in Russian porcelain gives an idea of the specific evolution's features of this global phenomenon in Russian Empire. Inside orientalist themes and motifs in Russian porcelain, four main themes were identified: triumphal turquerie; literary subjects and portraits on porcelain in the «eastern» style; exotic plots and ornaments in porcelain plastic and dishes; and, finally, the prerequisites for the development of the ethnographic theme.