Rīgas Porcelāna muzejs

About the museum

The Rīgas Porcelāna muzejs was set up on the basis of the museum collection of the dissolved joint-stock company “Rīgas porcelāns” (formerly the Riga Porcelain Factory), to ensure its preservation and study. In 2000 the collection was transferred to the property of the City of Riga, and the museum opened on 30 October 2001. Today it is a unit of the Rīgas pašvaldības kultūras iestāžu apvienība (Association of Cultural Institutions of the Riga City Council).

The collection is based on the holdings of the factory museum – around eight thousand porcelain and faience objects made from the mid-19th to the late 20th century. Most of them are products of the Riga Porcelain Factory from the 1950s to the 1990s, so the collection clearly shows the development of mass-produced porcelain design. There are fewer products by the Kuzņecovs and Jesens factories, and adding to these is one of the collection's priorities.

The exhibition shows the history of porcelain production in Riga and the diversity of forms and decoration. In a separate room, decorative objects dedicated to Soviet ideology are displayed – vases, plates and small sculptures. The museum regularly holds exhibitions of contemporary porcelain, and visitors can take part in porcelain modelling and painting workshops.

Highlights

• The largest collection of industrially produced porcelain in Riga
• Riga Porcelain Factory products from the mid-19th to the late 20th century
• Decorative porcelain objects from the Soviet period
• Porcelain modelling and painting workshops
• Tactile album “Pieskaries porcelānam” (Touch the Porcelain)

Permanent exhibition

• Rīgas porcelāna pamatekspozīcija – Products of the Riga Porcelain Factory and other Riga factories from the mid-19th century to the 1990s, as well as decorative objects from the Soviet period.

Founded

2000

Operated by

Rīgas pašvaldības kultūras iestāžu apvienība

Admission & discounts

Free admission also applies to politically repressed persons, employees of Latvian museums, ICOM members, members of the Latvijas Mākslinieku savienība (Latvian Artists' Union), students of the Latvijas Mākslas akadēmija (Latvian Academy of Art) and pupils of art, design and craft schools, on presentation of a document.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The tactile album “Pieskaries porcelānam” enables people with visual impairments to learn the history of Latvian porcelain by touch. The porcelain workshops are also accessible to people with special needs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

For pupils the museum offers the programme “Kā top porcelāns?” (How Is Porcelain Made?), an animated film and a tour; in the workshops porcelain can be shaped and painted individually or in groups of up to 10 people.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

At the cash desk there are souvenirs, postcards, products of the Piebalgas Porcelāna fabrika and books.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit