Analysis of Plots and Sources of Orientalist Motifs in Russian Porcelain of the 18th–19th Centuries

This article examines subjects and decorative sources of orientalism in Russian porcelain of the 18th and 19th centuries. It seems important to single out stages of the incremental development of orientalist motifs in Russian porcelain and describe their evolution. Additionally, the authors aim to clarify why orientalist motifs were chosen by porcelain collectors and buyers and what role they played in arts and crafts in Russian Empire at different times. The article presents a consistent analysis of the evolution of orientalist motifs in 18th–19th centuries Russian porcelain. This study employs methods of formal and stylistic analysis. The use of these methods allows the authors to study the stylistic origins of orientalist motifs answering the question regarding the framework of its stylistic tradition and why a fashion emerged for the motifs described in this research. Furthermore, the researchers use the historical-genetic method trying to trace the emergence and development of the phenomenon of orientalist motifs on the basis of literature, historical sources, and porcelain objects. By applying methods of historical analysis and cultural analysis, this paper investigates and highlights the historical background of the emergence and development of orientalist motifs in Russian porcelain. Additionally, these methods are appropriate to understand how the taste preferences of customers of porcelain in the Russian Empire between the second half of the 18th and the 19th centuries influenced the stylistic formation of orientalist motifs. The sources of the study are mostly porcelain items made between the 18th and the 19th centuries, albums of engravings and pattern books of porcelain manufactures, containing drawings and model designs for porcelain items. The authors refer to these sources in order to reveal models and patterns characterised by orientalist motifs. Relying on the same principles, the authors study periodicals of the 19th century in order to find references and facts concerning the emergence and development of orientalist motifs in porcelain production. They also consider it important to study and describe a number of works of literature with elements of orientalism which became the basis for painting in porcelain items. Traditionally, orientalist motifs have been generalised in the concept of exoticism in Russian arts and crafts. This research contributes to a new understanding of orientalist motifs in porcelain painting and decoration created in the 18th–19th centuries Russian Empire.