Glass Town: Who's Seeking History on the Banks of the Neva?

Contents:

• Mudlarking on the banks of the Neva
• Toothbrushes, frozen Charlotte and beer bottles
• From the room to the museum

Glass Town, also known as Glass Settlement or simply Steklyanka, is a historic district of St. Petersburg located near the former Imperial Glass Factory. In 2019, a project was launched in which participants collect shards of various objects along the banks of the Neva River. This initiative aims to research and preserve the history of this place, allowing for a deeper understanding of its cultural heritage.

Nika Artemyeva, the creator of the Glass Town project, shared her findings, the attribution process, and her vision for the future of the initiative aimed at restoring historical heritage. In the conversation, she spoke about the complexity and importance of restoring the past, as well as how each discovery helps to create a complete picture of history. The project continues to attract attention and interest to cultural heritage, allowing for a deeper understanding of the history and values ​​that have been forgotten.

Mudlarking on the banks of the Neva

Nika Artemyeva was born and raised in the center of St. Petersburg, in the Kolomna district, near Theater Square. She spent her childhood in the Grand Ducal Palace, where there was a kindergarten with magnificent interiors. From an early age, Nika wondered about the state of buildings and their heritage, inquiring about how to change the situation. Over the past eight years, she has been actively involved in the preservation of architectural heritage, striving to restore and preserve unique architectural monuments.

In 2019, Nika moved to Glass Town, but by then her knowledge of the history of the area was limited. To deepen her knowledge and have an interesting time, Nika and her friends decided to take up mudlarking. This passion not only helped her better understand the cultural and historical aspects of the area but also forged strong bonds with the locals. Mudlarking became a way for Nika to explore Glass Town, discovering new facets of its history and unique atmosphere.

On the shores of historical sites in various cities and countries, water washes up remnants of objects from ancient times. Searching for such finds brings joy and allows one to discern whether they belong to the past or are modern. This fascinating process not only provides pleasure but also opens a window into history, allowing one to learn more about the lives of people in different eras. Each discovered object becomes a link between the past and the present, making it especially valuable for researchers and history buffs.

Between 1777 and 1779, Prince Grigory Potemkin received glass factories located near St. Petersburg as a gift from Empress Catherine II. Potemkin decided to relocate these factories and locate them near the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. After his death, Catherine II returned the factories to the treasury, leading to the creation of the Imperial Glass Factory. This factory became an important element of the Russian glass industry and played a significant role in the development of artistic glass and glassware in the country.

By the end of the 19th century, the factory was in decline, leading to its merger with the porcelain factory. In the first half of the 1890s, production was moved to Porcelain Settlement. In this new location, glass production became secondary, and during the Revolution, it ceased operations completely.

During their first forays, Nika and her friends noticed how much Interesting finds could be made along the shore. The fragments of ancient objects contrasted with the modern appearance of the area, where almost no pre-revolutionary buildings remain. Nika soon realized that the history of this place was described in only a few sources, and that these were done superficially. "Then I realized that systematically collecting fragments could reveal details about the daily life of past eras and even about lost architecture," she noted. This process can become not only a fascinating hobby, but also an important contribution to the study of the history of the area, allowing to restore forgotten pages of its past.

Toothbrushes, frozen Charlotte and beer bottles

Glass Town is an area with a rich history, but it was not particularly prosperous. No noble families lived here, and the economic situation of the region remained modest. The main visitors were pilgrims and representatives of the church, whose standard of living often exceeded that of local residents. This created a unique social structure, where clergy played a significant role in the life of the town, bringing elements of culture and education to it.

The finds in the “Glass Town” confirm the diversity of local ceramics. Samples of clay and inexpensive earthenware were found on the shore. At the same time, among the artifacts There are also pieces from the Kornilov factory, which are distinguished by a higher price. This indicates the presence of different strata of the consumer market and the diversity of tableware production, which highlights the cultural and economic aspects of the region.

Attribution of finds with a high degree of accuracy is possible thanks to the hallmarks on the shards. These hallmarks can be compared with samples from specialized catalogs. In certain cases, "Glass Town" turns to its subscribers for help, which facilitates a more accurate identification of all the tableware. This approach not only increases the level of expertise, but also strengthens the community of glassware connoisseurs.

In our research, we also find hallmarks from Riga, Polish, and Finnish factories. In the pre-revolutionary period, these regions were part of the Russian Empire, which expands the horizons for collectors. We also come across items of French manufacture, as well as a significant amount of English tableware and some German. This indicates that residents, local taverns, and other catering establishments had the opportunity to purchase not only locally produced tableware, but also Kuznetsov's, but also products from other countries, which emphasizes the diversity and richness of the cultural influences of that time.

Studies of glass fragments have made it possible to map the location of a famous tavern. Analysis of bottle fragments allows us to get an idea of ​​the variety of alcoholic beverages available in the past. Nika suggests that the residents of Glass Town lived a more prosperous life than modern historical accounts suggest. These finds open up new perspectives for studying the everyday life and culture of that time.

The telling fragments may also be those that don't exist. For example, the Trekhgornaya beer factory in Moscow was very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, which corresponds to the period we are studying. However, no bottles from this factory have yet been found in Glass Town. Perhaps local beer was a more accessible and economical option. There is a possibility that in the future we will discover archival materials that will explain why Moscow beer was not supplied to Glass Town.

Along with fragments of tableware, toys and games, such as dominoes and dolls, were found. Particularly noteworthy is a fragment of a Frozen Charlotte doll, known as "Frozen Charlotte." This small porcelain doll was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries throughout the world. Frozen Charlotte is a solid porcelain figurine that fits in the palm of the hand, making it convenient for play and collecting.

The collection includes fragments of German porcelain pieces, likely related to dolls. The staff at Glass Town are confident that these items can be attributed in the future. The presence of the stamp and part of the inscription suggests that the source of information about these items will almost certainly be found.

A significant number of toothbrushes were among the items discovered. These items are also available in a catalog with a price list, demonstrating that even poor locals could afford this important hygiene product.

In addition to household items, remnants of architectural elements, such as fragments of roof tiles, can be found in St. Petersburg. Roof tiles are a rare artifact for the city, as they were primarily used in the construction of churches. Local tiled churches were destroyed in the 1930s, and the tile fragments remained in the water for nearly 90 years. Some of these fragments were donated to ceramic workshops for restoration, while others have joined St. Petersburg museum collections. These remnants of roof tiles not only represent historical value but also constitute an important part of the city's cultural heritage.

We not only become acquainted with local everyday life but also immerse ourselves in the history of material culture as a whole. Research in this area is not limited to us, but at the museum level, the focus is more often on the everyday life of famous members of the imperial family or on ethnographic materials relating to village life. Nika believes this allows for a deeper understanding of the region's cultural heritage.

From a Room to a Museum

The "Glass City" collection is currently stored in a 13-meter room in Nika Artemyeva's apartment. Although a comprehensive catalog has not yet been created, tens of thousands of finds can already be found. These are primarily fragments of old dishes, containers, and architectural decorative elements. The collection also includes 200–300 items produced at the Leningrad Art Glass Factory. This unique collection is an important contribution to the preservation of cultural heritage and demonstrates the diversity of glass products, reflecting the style and aesthetics of past eras.

Since 2021, Nika and her team They were looking for suitable storage and office space. The ideal space was soon put up for auction, and Glass Town won it. The renovation took two years and is now in its final stages. This new location will be an important step in the project's development, providing the necessary storage and work conditions.

Before the project's completion, Nika and her team actively searched for an exhibition space, and eventually found one. "We were forced to take out a loan, figure out ways to cover part of the rent, and take a bold step—buying the lease," Nika recalls. This decision became a key moment in the development of their business, opening up new opportunities for the presentation and promotion of their work.

The new exhibition hall will present a collection of finds from the banks of the Glass Town. The main goal is to create a permanent exhibition that will tell the story of this unique region. Displaying artifacts and finds will also be an important aspect of the project. For example, by showing the process of restoring a jug from fragments or assembling a plate from various pieces, we can arouse keen interest and response among visitors.

The exhibition space will feature Open storage, ensuring maximum access to the project's collections. A lecture hall and a coffee shop are also planned, which will contribute to the funding of the project's activities.

Nika is actively involved in the collection, attribution, and museumification of historical finds and fragments. She attracts volunteers, consultants, and subscribers to support her work, but the main organizational tasks and financial risks remain on her shoulders. "This is not the kind of thing you can entrust to someone and say, 'I have a great idea. Would you like to dedicate most of your life to historical finds?'" she admits with a smile. Nika understands the importance of preserving historical heritage and strives to make it accessible to a wide audience, despite all the difficulties.

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