Panda Bear (USSR)

Panda. Elegantly modeled panda looks good from any angle! Note the fine quality painting on this piece! The details on the panda bear's face are very fine and expressive. Finished with a smooth glaze and hand painted in the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory. Note: though a USSR piece, the mark has worn off. 3½"x 3"x 5". 1 only, as pictured.

Two talented artists collaborated to produce many of the "Porcelain Zoo" animal sculptures. Porcelain painter Viktor Zhbanov and sculptor/modeller Pavel Veselov. The fruit of their cooperation produced unique figures that are natural and distinctive in their poses.

The Lomonosov Porcelain Factory (Ломоносовский фарфоровый завод) has had a long history, starting with its name. When founded in 1744, it carried the name Imperial Porcelain Factory (Императорский фарфоровый завод). In 1925, it became Lomonosov, named after the scientist and writer Mikhail Lomonosov (1711-1765). Finally, in 2005, it came full circle and was renamed the Imperial Porcelain Factory (or Manufactory), or IPM, for short.