Influences of French Porcelain on the Design of Porcelain Products of the Miklashevskyi Manufactory

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to study the stylistic influences of French porcelain on the appearance of products from Andriy Miklashevsky's Volokytyn Manufactory, which became a significant phenomenon in Ukrainian art of the 19th century. The research methodology includes the application of various methods, in particular, verification of data obtained from foreign and domestic sources; historical and systematic methods that allowed the classification of diverse information; and art analysis to identify the stylistic features of the products in comparison with the products of European manufactories. The use of these methods ensured the objectivity of the study, particularly in analysing the main stages of the Volokytyn Manufactory's development, examining the historical context of its operations, and exploring the influence of French traditions on the factory's production. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that for the first time the specifics of the influences of European porcelain of the 18th–19th centuries on Ukrainian decorative and applied arts are highlighted, and the inspiration of aesthetic and technological features of French porcelain production in porcelain products of the Volokitino manufactory is analysed. Conclusions. This research for the first time provides a comprehensive analysis of the technical and stylistic aspects of the products from A. Miklashevskyi's manufactory, which operated from 1839 to 1861, demonstrating how French design principles were adapted to the Ukrainian context. The factory owner emphasised both the aesthetic appearance of products that combined decorative elements characteristic of French porcelain productions, particularly the Dart brothers and J. Petit, and the use of leading technological solutions of that time. The success of the production was facilitated not only by inviting famous masters from France and following the porcelain traditions of this country but also by establishing training programmes for specialists required for production, including artists. Among the products were tableware, lighting fixtures (candlesticks, chandeliers), other interior decor items, and small plastics. Porcelain products made at this manufactory often resembled the works of French workshops in form and decor, supplemented with national Ukrainian motifs, which ultimately ensured their commercial success. The results of this synthesis were recognised not only in Ukraine but also abroad, so today, the products of A. Miklashevskyi's manufactory are held in numerous museums and private collections in Ukraine and worldwide, emphasising the significance of the Volokytyn Manufactory for our country's cultural heritage.