What is it and who makes it?

Gzhel is a region about 60 kilometers south east of Moscow, and is the area where the famous blue and white pottery of the same name is produced. Gzhel pottery was first mentioned in a decree made by the Moscow Prince Ivan Kalita in 1339 which is considered to be the official date of the craft's birth. At this time Gzhel artisans produced plain and enameled pottery and toys, but in the second half of the eighteenth century they mastered the art of majolica. The cradle and main contemporary center of Russian artistic pottery, Gzhel gave its mother country the best achievements of this craft. Archaeological excavations prove that folk pottery thrived here even in the 14th century. Artistic craftsmen could not find a better place than this, with its luscious woods, crystal clear rivers and superb clay. " Nowhere did I see a clay whiter than this," exclaimed a medieval chronicler.

Gzhel had its ups and downs throughout its long life. For several centuries it remained a modest seat of peasant craftsmen who made stove and roof tiles and cheap household crockery. The latter half of the eighteenth century made it famous for majolica’s of colored clay with polychrome paintings against white glaze. The 19th century came with new locally invented know-how as the craft evolved from semi-faience to faience and later porcelain. Of special interest were items painted in deep-blue under a transparent glaze, all details etched with a refined precision. Many factories, big and small, engaged in the trade. The end of the century and the start of the 20th brought a desperate crisis. The craft seemed doomed.

The time after the Second World War brought the spectacular revival as artists ventured on a quest for new imagery. Years of painstaking work, during which a generation of innovators was trained, brought Gzhel to a new deserved success.

Now Gzhel is at another peak of renown. Designers and potters lovingly preserve traditional shapes and decor, notable for their folk features. All patterns are hand-made, as before, so every item is a work of art on its own. Still, contemporary samples are easy to tell from nineteenth century antecedents, with a modern treatment of profoundly studied folk motifs, and latter day techniques.

Unprecedented genre paintings appear on china. The assortment grew with new shapes and patterns. Now Gzhel produces tea, coffee and dinner services;, samovars, vases, candlesticks, clocks, lamps, statuettes and many other items in an annual total exceeding 2500 varieties.

Many potters, sculptors and painters descend from generations of local craftsmen. A galaxy of new masters appeared within this decade. Vessels and figurines bearing their names are gems of the most ambitious collections. The youngest masters lovingly preserve old traditions, and enrich this precious heritage with their own finds.

Gzhel is a main center of esthetic education, which encourages children’s innate gifts. Starting at playschool, their work goes on to school and college. Local children honorably participated in exhibitions in Germany, Britain, the United States, Italy and other countries.