31. May 2007.

107 years have passed - since Herend Porcelain last exhibited in St. Petersburg

Just a reference to Tsarskoe Selo, the Village of the Tsars near St. Petersburg, is enough to bring to mind one of the masterpieces of Russian baroque architecture.

This building of almost 300 metres in length served as the summer residence of Russian tsars from the 18th century onwards. While the palace itself is known for its blue-and-gold exterior, the most precious of its halls, the Amber Room, is famed all around the world. The palace, once restored to its original splendour, was opened to the public and enjoys tremendous popularity. No visitor to St. Petersburg will fail to go on a pilgrimage to this unique place. The director of the Museum of Tsarskoe Selo was pleased to back the initiative of the Herend Porcelain Manufactory to stage an exhibition of porcelain history, and the parties were quick to reach agreement on the project. The exhibition solemn opened in Catherine Palace.

The exhibition in Tsarskoe Selo of porcelain pieces selected from the collections of the Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest and the Herend Porcelain Museum Foundation, together with current items and contemporary products of the Herend Porcelain Manufactory Ltd., hopes to address an audience that values the art of porcelain-making, who honour traditions and who cherish the exclusive paraphernalia of festive occasions and special days. Every single exhibition item is handcrafted and follows the historical traditions of manufacture.

The exhibition focuses on luxury tableware with décors known and acclaimed throughout Europe and worldwide. At the same time visitors can also see a selection of rarities, unique ornaments manufactured in the course of the past 180 years.

On the occasion of the opening ceremony a giant, 1 m high vase depicting the view of Catherina Palace, painted by Herend masters. Another part of the exhibition is a valuable display of other Herend pieces which illustrate the contemporary art of porcelain-making. The organisers of this exhibition hope Hungarian cultural treasures attract the Russian public and stimulate their intrigue and interest in Herend Porcelain.