The Russian Private Factories of the nineteenth century were highly competitive with each other. Certain popular subjects such as this were made by more than one factory. It can be tricky to tell the work of one from another when there is not a factory mark to go by.
Similar examples to this “Shepherd Boy and Dog” are attributed to both Kornilov Brothers and A.G. Popov. The key difference on the top side seems to be that the flower on the bottom right is white with gilding on the Kornilov versions and enamel painted on the Popov.
Comparing the underside of mine with the image of one of a Kornilov Shepherd, the two are finished differently. Each maker appears to have had its own style of pressing.
The underside of this figure has some incised “non literate” marks of the type mentioned in earlier posts. My theory is that these were marks made by the uneducated peasant labour force who worked at various Russian Private Factories. Incised “OI” or the reverse in this case.
Looks to be eighteen or so separately moulded parts used in putting this together. That makes it a high labour, expensive luxury object. This complex a figure with the enamel painting and gilding must have commanded a very high price in its day. The Russian Private Factories competed for a very high end market.
Attributing to Popov. Circa 1850. Height 24 cm.
