In 1989, Cooper Hewitt acquired the Ludmilla and Henry Shapiro Collection of Soviet Porcelains. The Shapiros were news correspondents for the Western Press in Moscow between 1933 and 1973. Their porcelain collection opens a fascinating window onto the life, culture, and politics of the Soviet Union from the Bolshevik Revolution until the mid-1980s.

  • Dock workers Figure
  • enameled porcelain.
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-185
  • Woman with Shawl Figure
  • molded, enameled porcelain.
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-183
  • Bust of Lenin Plaque
  • porcelain (bisque).
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-178
  • Ivan Moskvin Figure
  • porcelain, enamel.
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-172
  • Victory Day Mug
  • porcelain, enamel, gilding.
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-111
  • 12 April 1961 Mug, 1961
  • porcelain, enamel, gilding.
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-109
  • Eighth of March 1955 Plate
  • earthenware, enamel, gilding.
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-39
  • Partisan Figure
  • enameled bisque porcelain.
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-162
  • 1917-1967 Mug
  • earthenware, glaze.
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-114
  • Eighth of March Cup
  • porcelain, enamel, gilding.
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-108
  • The Storm Plate
  • porcelain, enamel.
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-48
  • Red Army Soldier Vase
  • porcelain (bisque).
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-85
  • Turkmenian Man Writing Figure
  • porcelain (bisque), enamel.
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-158
  • Woman Swimmer Plate, 1937
  • enameled, gilt and glazed porcelain.
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-30
  • Red Guard Figure, 1918
  • porcelain, enamel.
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-143
  • 1917-1927 Mug, 1927
  • porcelain, enamel.
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-72
  • Bust of Lenin Inkstand
  • enameled porcelain.
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-138
  • Box And Cover, ca. 1930
  • porcelain, enamel, gilding.
  • The Henry and Ludmilla Shapiro Collection; Partial gift and partial purchase....
  • 1989-41-82-a,b