Gzhel is a small village located approximately 50 kilometers southeast of Moscow. Gzhel village, and the surrounding region known by the same name, has served as a center for ceramic and pottery production in Russia since the 14th century. The centuries old majolica-ware and pottery, and the modern porcelain produced in this region have since become known simply as "Gzhel."
Gzhel porcelain is generally painted with cobalt blue against a white backround. Once workshop is now producing Gzhel porcelain with the addition of 22 karat gold accents. Today, there are six workshops in the Gzhel region producing over 2,500 different items including: tea, coffee and dinner services, vases, candlesticks, clocks, lamps, fireplaces, folk toys, and figurines. Each piece of porcelain and ceramic is painted entirely by hand with additional hours of hand work required to mold, finish, glaze and fire each individual piece.
Gzhel now employs approximately 1,200 potters, sculptors, and painters in porcelain productiong. Many of these people are descended from generations of local craftsmen. Children with artistic talents are encouraged in the arts beginning as early as preschool. Many of these children will continue artistic studies through college and then take positions within the Gzhel Association of Porcelain Manufacture.
The process for making the unique Gzhel pocelain items begins when a specialist creates a plaster model of the design. The model maker uses a potter's wheel with customized attachments and a shaping device with a steel blade to scrape off excess plaster. After the plaster model is complete a working mold will be made.
The working mold is handed over to another trained specialist who fills the mold with a viscous porcelain paste. The porous plaster of the working mold absorbs moisture from the porcelain paste and a allows for a gradual hardening of the porcelain. After hardening, the dry porcelain paste object is removed from the mold and sent on to the firing department.
After initial firing, the blank piece is given to a skilled artist for painting. Gzhel porcelain artists have developed a recognizable style with designs of cobalt blue on white. While the color choice is directly influenced by the traditions of Delftware, the application is uniquely Gzhel. Traditional Gzhel decoration is comprised of floral and geometric ornamental motifs applied with quick sure brushstrokes. Since the designs are painted by hand each piece of Gzhel porcelain will have unique variations.
Gzhel has become a popular folk art in Russia and is now exported to countries throughout the world. The Russian American Company is pleased to offer the newest designs to our customers. These new Gzhel porcelain items have delicate painting and fine gold ornamental lines. The overall effect is elegant and we hope you will enjoy these new creations as much as we do.
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