2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Many believe that real treasures are hidden deep in the ground or are located at the bottom of large bodies of water. I want to refute these assumptions. It turns out that a real treasure can be found literally on a path in a big city. I'll tell you a little more about one amazing find
Continued story
Recently walking through the streets of our city, my sister and I came across an unusual find. Not far from the building of a boarding school for gifted children (before the revolution there was a city three-grade school here), several pieces of ceramic tiles lay on a dirt path. Most of them were split into several parts. Only one plate was intact.
Our attention was attracted by an unusual brand located in the middle of the tile: "HTBEB". Around it was an inscription in an old font with solid signs at the end of the words: "Bergenheim Kharkov". There was no end to our surprise. The decoding of the mark and the history of this find became interesting. For clarification, we turned to the local museum of local lore. Where the secret of the old tile was revealed to us.
Decoding of the mark
The inscription "HTBEB" consists of the initial letters of the name of the ceramic factory. It is translated as "Kharkov Association of Baron Eduard Bergenheim". This enterprise was founded in 1876 in the southern part of the Russian Empire. At that time, it was a unique factory in this area, providing the whole country with high-quality clay products.
The assortment consisted of several types:
• floor tiles;
• roof tiles;
• stove tiles;
• refractory bricks;
• sewer pipes.
The floors of the Kazan Church and the Annunciation Cathedral in Kharkov are laid out with Bergenheim tiles on Lysaya Gora. Half of the buildings built at that time in Moscow and St. Petersburg have a coating from this plant. It turns out that in small towns of the Russian hinterland there are also such specimens.
Who was this amazing man? How did he get to Kharkov?
Founder's life path
Eduard Eduardovich Bergenheim was born in Turku (Finland) on January 17, 1844. His father served as an archbishop, had Swedish roots.
The son chose a different path for himself. First he graduated from the Cadet Corps in Finland with honors. Then he continued his studies at the Engineering Academy of St. Petersburg.
In 1870 he took part in the construction of the Kharkov railway. While working in the south of Russia, Eduard noticed large reserves of clay, which the local population used for their domestic needs (dishes, whistles for children). The young businessman decided to take advantage of natural resources.
In 1876, he built a factory for the production of terracotta and other clay products. High quality products, an increase in the assortment allowed the baron to acquire numerous customers in different parts of Russia from St. Petersburg to Siberia.
In 1878 he started a family by marrying Emilia Ekestub. Two children were born in the marriage: son Axel (1885-1920) and daughter Dorothy (1893-1975).
In 1979, for services to the Fatherland, the young entrepreneur was awarded the title of baron by the Named Highest Decree of the Imperial Majesty. For several years he was elected a member of the State Duma.
The Baron died on March 16, 1893. Buried at the Lutheran cemetery in Kharkov.
Modern history
The plant did not stop working after the death of its founder. After the revolution, it was nationalized. Much time has passed since then, the assortment has changed, new technologies have been mastered, modern buildings have been erected, but production is still alive. The business started by a Finnish industrialist at the end of the 19th century continues.
The legacy of that time has not been forgotten by grateful descendants. In 2003, the Kharkov Museum of Ceramic Tiles was founded. Where all the old samples of the products manufactured by the plant are collected.
More than 100 years later, Bergenheim tiles can still be found in ancient buildings of that time. It has increased wear resistance, frost resistance (it is used even in unheated chapels). Does not fade in bright sunlight.
The sample we found was most likely thrown onto the road as construction waste while dismantling the school stoves. Modern central heating has supplanted the old finishes. It is surprising that no one paid attention to the value of this tile. Now she takes a worthy place in our museum.
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