A rare porcelain elephant figurine by Elmars Rivoss for Kuznetsov, Riga, 1937.

A rare porcelain elephant figurine by Elmārs Rivoss (Latvia, 1906-1957) for Kuznetsov, Riga, Latvia, 1937. Limited edition created to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Kuznetsov (1812-1937). Signed. Height: 19 cm. Length: 32 cm. The designer, Elmārs Rivoss, was a Latvian Jew. In 1941, he was imprisoned in the Riga Ghetto, where his entire family perished. After their execution, he made a desperate attempt to escape the ghetto, hid in various places, and returned to his profession at the end of the war.

The Kuznetsov company was founded in Russia in 1812. Over the years, it became a supplier to the royal house, expanded, and opened numerous branches across the Russian Empire. Only one factory was established outside Latvia, in Riga, in 1843. After the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, the company closed and ceased operations. Only the factory in Riga survived this tragedy and continued the glorious tradition, albeit in smaller quantities than before. To mark the 125th anniversary, the company produced a limited edition, particularly in porcelain for tableware and figurines.