Imitation Gallery: Fake and Original Cobalt Net

There is a lot of fake Lomonosov porcelain on eBay and other sites, and Cobalt Net is the pattern counterfeiters copy most. The photographs below put imitations next to the originals, so you can see the difference for yourself. In every pair the fake is on the left and the manufactory piece is on the right.

The mark on the base

LFZ monogram mark used before 2006 and the current Imperial Porcelain mark — Right: the mark used since 2006, the one you should find on new Lomonosov Imperial Porcelain. Left: the earlier ЛФЗ monogram. It may be genuine on a vintage piece, but it has not been used since 2006.

Fake and original, side by side

Fake and original Cobalt Net tea cup — Tea cup and saucer.

Fake and original Cobalt Net espresso coffee cup — Espresso coffee cup.

Fake and original Cobalt Net teapot — Teapot.

Fake and original Cobalt Net creamer — Creamer.

Fake and original Cobalt Net mug — Tea and coffee mug.

Fake and original Cobalt Net tea set — Tea set.

Fake and original Cobalt Net dinner plates — Dinner plates.

More fakes offered as Lomonosov

All of these were offered under the Lomonosov name. None of them came from the manufactory.

Why the copies look different

Original Cobalt Net cannot be reproduced elsewhere, because the manufactory uses its own equipment and technology. Its hard porcelain is fired at 1400 °C (2552 °F). The copies we have examined are fired at about 1300 °C (2372 °F), and their cobalt blue is noticeably different from the real one.

How to get genuine Lomonosov porcelain

Buy from a shop supplied by the manufactory, such as our catalogue.
Check the bottom stamp.
Ask the seller to show a contract with the manufactory.

If you are going to buy a Lomonosov Imperial Porcelain piece from another source, email us a photograph at [email protected] and we will help you identify it. The full checklist is in our guide to identifying fake Lomonosov porcelain.