History of Polish Pottery
Poland has been known for its pottery for many centuries. Archeologists have found pottery in the region dating back to the Middle-Ages, however, in the 17th century, Potters in the Boleslawiec area united into a “pottery” guild. Boleslawiec is known for its pottery largely due to the geography which lends itself to ceramic work as the area is rich in natural clay deposi
ts; the clay is still excavated today. Boleslawiec has a long history of pottery making and is often referred to as, “Miasto Ceramiki” – the town of ceramics. All authentic Boleslawiec pottery will have “Hand made in Poland” stamped on the bottom. The Boleslawiec pottery that is most recognizable today is the white or cream colored ceramic with dark blue, green, yellow, brown, and sometimes red or purple motifs. The most common designs include dots, abstract florals, speckles, “windmills”, and the favorite “peacocks eye.” The, “Unikat” editions are even more extraordinary pieces of stoneware; these pieces (Unikats) are hand-painted and autographed by each artist. One of the most attracted features regarding Polish Pottery is that they are: oven safe, microwave save, dishwasher safe and easy to clean. Moreover, these stoneware pieces are made without lead and calcium. When you purchase Polish Pottery, you are purchasing a part of Eastern Europe which is hand-made, authentic and based on centuries of traditions. Lastly, it is traditional for many Polish Pottery collectors to mix their tableware and add a little more excitement to their lunch or dinners. It is not uncommon to see many different designs of plates, cups or serving dishes at the same setting. However, some households like to keep their patterns matching which is nice as well.
