Legendary, private, porcelain enterprise in Rus′. Founded in 1754 by an English merchant of Scottish origin, Franz Gardner, on the Gzhel clays. A man of extraordinary ambitions, who fulfilled his promise to fill Russia with domestic porcelain, became rich in sugar, and in the mid-18th century decided to invest in porcelain production. The choice of location fell on the traditionally ceramic region of the Moscow region, with a clay resource, craftsmen familiar with the manufacture of tableware, and a position close to the sales market. However, having studied the geography of Russian deposits from Solovki to the Crimea, Gardner chose to start with the Glukhovsky clays in the Kharkov district.
Gardner′s strategy was to meet demand in both the luxury and commercial segments. And the targeted replacement of foreign porcelain with domestic ones. This thesis gave rise to a well-known duality in the qualities of works. The gap was aggravated by the almost Gogolian story about the serfs. The landowner to whom they were registered stole, and in order to keep workers at the factory, Gardner makes a St. George tray service. The Empress liked him, and the favorable audience made it possible for Gardner to keep workers at his factory, and also provided new unlimited opportunities for the manufacturer. The Moscow Governor-General allowed the use of the coat of arms of the Mother See in the hallmarks of the manufactory. Prince Yusupov, then manager of the Imperial Porcelain Factory, began to patronize the fragile ambitions. From 1877 to 1783, Gardner replenished the legendary series of order services; Andreevsky, Alexandrovsky and Vladimirsky. Along with aristocratic sophistication, Gardner′s products penetrated into the homes of the burghers and minor nobility. Mass production has replaced expensive foreign goods and has become a universally obligatory attribute of comfort, family life and prosperity. Franz Gardner leaves at the peak of glory, when his brainchild - the first private porcelain factory, is considered a benchmark in business structure and product quality.
The sons take up the baton. In the first third of the 19th century, the factory expanded mass production - earthenware, when Gzhel clay played its role. The successes and merits of the factory were noted at the first exhibition of manufactories in 1829 with a small gold medal. Since 1855, by order of the Emperor, the factory has been awarded the right to brand with a double-headed eagle, which certifies the highest quality of products. The following year, 1856, Gardner became a supplier to His Imperial Court. He retained this right until 1896. However, from the second half of the 19th century, especially after the Crimean War, the factory plunged into formulaic, little artistic production. The inability of the grandchildren of Franz Gardner to choose on which side to conduct business, who to serve, led to the degradation of quality and commercial invention. However, by the time the factory was sold to Kuznetsov in 1892, it was producing products worth 200 thousand rubles. More than 750 people were employed in the production. Having become part of the Kuznetsov empire, the plant did not lose its identity and traditions. Products continue to be branded with the Gardner brand. The main core of the recognizable Gardner assortment was supplemented for the anniversary of the Patriotic War of 1812 and the tercentenary of the House of Romanov, with dishes and services with historical scenes. The share of souvenir animals was also increased. The last update of the price list occurred on March 1, 1917. At the end of the year it was nationalized and another story began.