Fine thin-porcelain bowl made by the Gardner Factory in the Russian Empire. The stamp dates it to the 1890s–1910s. This piece belongs to a rare export line produced for elite clients in Central Asia and the Middle East. Diameter 11 cm, height 5.5 cm. Excellent preservation with no cracks, chips or repairs.
Decoration & Colours
The exterior is covered with freehand floral painting in a distinctly Gardner style:
Flowers in pink, blue, red and yellow, outlined with a steady fine line
Leafy vines in various greens moving around the body of the bowl
Occasional spontaneous brush accents and small squiggles typical of hand execution
Gilded rim and gilded footring, applied by hand
Interior decorated with a central gold floral rosette and a surrounding border of repeating gold leaf-shaped motifs
The palette reflects late-Imperial export taste: vivid colours contrasted with delicate porcelain white and highlighted with gold.
The Gardner Factory
The Gardner Factory, founded in 1766 by Francis Gardner, became one of the leading porcelain manufacturers of the Russian Empire. Known for its thin, light porcelain body and expressive hand-painting, the factory supplied both the Imperial Court and export markets. Gardner marks changed through the decades; the red stamp seen here corresponds to the late-19th-century period, before the factory was absorbed into the State Porcelain works after the Revolution.
Maker’s Mark
Red overglaze Gardner stamp used in the 1890s–1910s.
Dimensions
Diameter: 11 cm
Height: 5.5 cm
Condition
Excellent for its age. No chips, cracks, or restorations. Minor handling traces consistent with late-Imperial porcelain.
