“Grandma’s” services — a new trend
In Avito, items from the USSR era are experiencing a revival in popularity. The platform’s users are showing growing interest in Soviet crystal and other heirloom pieces.
In the first quarter of this year, purchases of these items rose by 55 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2021. On Avito, such pieces average around 3,730 rubles, a price point that is about 17 percent lower than the prior quarter, according to socialbites.ca. Collectors and enthusiasts can also discover limited edition 1980 Olympic glasses or a colorful crystal bowl on the platform.
Porcelain sets are gaining traction as well, though at a slower pace. Soviet porcelain purchases increased about 14 percent, with the average price around 5,240 rubles, Avito notes. Porcelain sets and crystal salad bowls — the heavy remnants of grandmother’s handdowns — are attracting a growing number of younger buyers.
“Lately I’ve noticed that old flatware is coming back into fashion. I like to mix “grandma’s closet” pieces with modern décor. Everything feels stylish when it’s done in moderation: a hand-painted cup with gold rims pairs well with a minimalist tablecloth and a smooth surface,” explains 23-year-old Maria Borisova. She says the dishes carry a spirit and a sense of history.
“Eating and drinking from such pieces is more enjoyable, more satisfying, and it teaches you to notice details. My grandmother has been collecting for years, and now she has inherited the Gzhel service, which she uses on holidays and special occasions. Simple things gain value and meaning, and that matters,” says Maria Borisova.
People in Western countries share this sentiment — they also feel that grandma’s cooking lends a unique character to any table setting. “This is stylish! Service pieces can be paired with very different décor. A crystal glass can be the highlight of the festive table,” notes Yevgenia Lavrova, a student at the University of Toulouse Jean Jaurès.
In today’s era, even the most precious dishes are kept in a buffet and brought to the table only on special occasions, far from casual daily use. “Even the priciest and most memorable sets are still used in my family. We don’t treat them as relics to hide away or donate. The exception is some pieces in my father’s grandmother’s cupboard, items with little practical use — for instance, a crystal horn for wine that doesn’t belong on the table. I fully share my grandfather’s view: this isn’t an antique to be donated to a museum, but life to be lived,” remarks a young researcher at Johannes Kepler University Linz, Ilya Osenniy.
How to use these pieces indoors
Interior designer and Fix Price network specialist Elena Karasaeva asserts that old items can find new life in innovative ways. This approach is popular in many Western countries and is now catching on in Russia as well.
“Unexpected ideas abound — a loft-style room featuring inherited Soviet furniture can look surprisingly cohesive. In this setting, dishes and décor from grandma can shine,” says Karasaeva.
There are numerous ways to incorporate heirlooms without clashing with the overall interior. The key is to keep the look organic and aligned with the color palette. “In a modern space you can showcase not only plates but porcelain vases and figurines. Creative arrangements are possible, such as crafting a flower display from artificial plants in a porcelain bowl. A teapot repurposed as a vase for fresh flowers can be a perfect touch,” Karaseva advises. Porcelain fits nicely into a country style, and porcelain plates can be hung on a wall as decorative art.
“Before taking an old grandmother’s service out of the house, check the back stamp. Items aged between 15 and 50 years are vintage, while anything over 50 years is antique. Don’t rush to discard them. There might be a deep story behind the set,” Karasaeva warns.
Service as a new feature in the restaurant business
Moscow’s restaurant scene is embracing the trend as well. Owners believe that homemade porcelain or ceramic dishes create a comforting, welcoming vibe.
“The goal was to craft an atmosphere that feels like visiting friends or family. People often say, ‘I have forks like these in my country house’ or ‘My grandmother had the same utensils when I was a kid.’ It immediately stirs warm memories of family gatherings,” explains Yulia Selyakova, co-owner and creative force behind Public Cafe.
According to Selyakova, diners frequently ask where to source such a service, a fork, or a milk jug. “Almost daily, and sometimes several times a day, guests ask: ‘Where can I buy a service like this?’ We tell them it came from an old European buyer, a Czech brand Thun, during a reconstruction; this plate with a Rosenthal stamp was found at a flea market and there is only one for the entire ‘Public.’ We continually refresh forks and bases, polish them, and send them back to work. We stay alert on social networks, and friends bring pieces to us,” she says.