Lomonosov Imitations and How to Avoid Them
There is a lot of fake Lomonosov porcelain on sale. You will find it on eBay and on other sites, usually copying the best-known patterns, Cobalt Net first of all. Most of it is made in China. One reliable sign: a seller who offers “Lomonosov” alongside a large range of unbranded imports is generally selling counterfeits.
How to get genuine Lomonosov porcelain
- Buy from a shop supplied by the manufactory. Every porcelain piece in our catalogue comes from the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory in St. Petersburg.
- Check the bottom stamp. New pieces carry a double-headed eagle with “Imperial Porcelain”, 1744 and “St. Petersburg”, the mark used since 2006. The earlier ЛФЗ monogram appears on vintage pieces only.
- Ask for proof of supply. A seller who really works with the manufactory can show a contract with it. One who cannot, or will not, is telling you something.
What a counterfeit advertisement looks like
This is the wording of a real listing for a counterfeit:
Set of 6 Lomonosov Design Dinner dessert plates 6.5". Beautiful hand painted design enhanced with 22 Karat gold accents under glaze. Recommended hand wash only since made of fine porcelain and gold plated. NOT SAFE FOR MICROWAVE USE.
Read it again and notice what it does not say. “Lomonosov Design” is not “made by the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory”. There is no pattern name, no shape name and no word about the mark on the base. The description is written to sound right while promising nothing.
See the difference
The Imitation Gallery puts fakes and originals side by side. For the full checklist, from the pattern to the packaging, read how to identify fake Lomonosov porcelain.
If you are about to buy a piece from another source and are not sure about it, email a photograph to [email protected]. We will help you identify it.