Helsinki Expert - Sight of the Month
Porcelain Treasures at the National Museum
The special exhibition “Fascination of Porcelain” at the National Museum of Finland shows a fine selection of Russian porcelain dating from the 18th century to the Soviet era. The exhibition will be on display till the end of the year.
The National Museum’s comprehensive and impressive collection of Russian porcelain has been received mainly from private donors and collectors. The collection gained international status through the bequest from Kalle Saarela (1902–1974), who donated ca 150 Russian porcelain items along with pieces of West European porcelain to the museum. Later on the foundation, established by Kalle Saarela, provided funds for the museum to increase the collection. In the course of years the collection has doubled its original size.
On display are ca 200 porcelain items, which have been selected from the museum’s large collection; included are tea services, coffee pots, sugar basins, fruit bowls, plates and small figurines. The collection provides an excellent overview of the history of porcelain manufacture in the Russian empire, to which Finland was joined as a result of the War of 1808–09. On show are products of the Imperial Porcelain Factory established in St. Petersburg as early as 1744. Small private factories were founded in the 19th century in St. Petersburg and in Moscow region offering good quality clay in large amounts. The Fascination of Porcelain exhibition also displays fine examples of quality products manufactured by these small factories.
The Soviet era with new political ideals was reflected also in the porcelain manufacture; the series of popular figurines continued in the 20th century taking the shape of contemporary ideal types.
In accordance with its theme the exhibition also features a series of photos by Anne Hämäläinen reflecting the atmosphere of the palaces of Tsarskoye Selo and Pavlovsk.
National Museum of Finland, Mannerheimintie 34,
tel. (09) 4050 9544.
Admission fee 7 EUR (adults), children and visitors with Helsinki Card free
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Text: Helsinki Expert/Pirjo Kauppinen
Picture: Porcelain tea service: Imperial Porcelain Factory.
Photographer: Rauno Träskelin
