The figurine depicting Buratino sitting on the turtle Tortila is considered one of the most recognizable examples of Soviet and Ukrainian porcelain miniatures from the years 1955–1965.

It was produced at the Kyiv Experimental Ceramic-Art Factory in Vyshneve near Kyiv — one of the most important centers of artistic porcelain production in the USSR.

The figurine was made of glazed and hand-painted porcelain. It portrays Buratino — the Russian counterpart of Pinocchio — sitting on the turtle Tortila and holding a golden key. The model is distinguished by its delicate and precise sculptural work as well as the vivid colors characteristic of the Kyiv school of porcelain art.

Figurine dimensions

height: approximately 7–8 cm
length: approximately 10 cm
width: approximately 7 cm

A red factory mark of the Kyiv Experimental Ceramic-Art Factory can be seen on the underside. The mark dates from the Soviet period and is characteristic of products made by the Kyiv factory between 1955 and 1965.

The factory operated from 1924 to 2006 and became famous for its high-quality porcelain figurines and cooperation with prominent Ukrainian porcelain artists, including Vladislav Shcherbina, who created the sculptural design of the figurine described above.

He was one of the most important porcelain designers associated with the Kyiv Experimental Ceramic-Art Factory. He specialized particularly in children’s and fairy-tale figurines characterized by expressive facial features and dynamic poses.