HISTORY OF POLISH POTTERY

Polish Pottery is famous all over the world, renowned for its striking colors, interesting and captivating designs, shapes and unique usability.  It originated hundreds of years ago in Germany, which is now part of Poland and renamed Boleslawiec.

Today, the village of Boleslawiec, Poland, is a thriving ceramic art center where skilled artisans individually handcraft and paint each piece producing original patterns, designs and colors.  Each decorative motif is unique to the Certified Master artist who produced it and, once signed, the "Signature" or "Unikat" (Unique) piece becomes a collector's item.  The Traditional Collection is classic.  It is the result of long-standing folk art patterns and pigments, making a very popular and less-expensive choice.

POTTERY CARE

In addition to its artful forms and handpainted designs, you will be delighted with the durability of Polish Pottery.  The artisans carefully mix the clay to specification, glaze it with a durable seal, and finally it is fired at extremely high temperatures, fusing the clay particles together to create a strong, highly chip-resistant piece.  Like all high-quality stoneware, it wouldn't be wise to make drastic temperature changes.  Don't, for example, pour cold liquids into hot bowls, or put a frozen casserole dish into a hot oven.  It's recommended that you begin heating the dish in a moderate oven, then increasing the temperature after a couple of minutes.  Be sure to use a hot pad rather than place your hot dish on the countertop.  If you've ever cooked with high quality stoneware, you probably already know this!

Polish Stoneware is appreciated all over the world for its striking colors, distinct and captivating designs, “people-friendly” shapes, and it’s unique usability.  Every piece of Polish stoneware goes into the oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher.  Polish pottery is cadmium and lead free  -- only natural materials are used throughout the entire production process.  Due to the special glaze and very high firing temperatures in excess of 1250 degrees Celsius, Polish pottery is extremely durable and highly chip resistant.

Historians have traced the long-standing pottery tradition back to as early as the 7th century.  The first known Renaissance pieces date back to the 16th century.  Later, the decoration was put underneath the glazes.  Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, had his own initial and crown decorating his personal “Polish Pottery.”   Boleslawiec stoneware originated as folk art in the early 1800’s.  Farmers made pottery in the winter, when it was too cold for outside work, for use in their own kitchens. Inspired by the peacock feather, using the colors of cobalt blue, peacock blue, and earth tones, they created a statement of strength and beauty in each piece of their tableware.  The brilliant colors added charm and intensity to an otherwise plain and simple lifestyle.  Today in the village of Boleslawiec, Poland, skilled artists still individually handcraft and hand paint each piece of Polish stoneware with the same pride and care used over a century ago, preserving the artistry of Old Central Europe.  Over the years, the technique of using handmade stencils and stamps to create the designs has become a form of art passed on to new generations.  Antique Bolesalwiec stoneware can be admired in local museums as well as in private collections throughout Europe.

Today, artists decorate their handmade pieces using paint brushes and the same unique punch or stamp technique used for centuries.   Polish pottery continues to be highly sought after by happy users and avid collectors alike.  With so many pieces to choose from, one can add to their Polish pottery collection almost indefinitely.  Pottery Gourmet is importing this superior pottery exclusively, confident that you, too, will appreciate its robust quality, its friendly shapes and striking colors, and will enjoy mixing and matching pieces to create table settings which never look the same from one day to the next.  Often a purchase of a lady’s or gentlemen’s mug, with its distinctive, rounded shape, is the starting point of an ever-growing Polish stoneware collection.  Oval casseroles and bowls become pieces you will reach for again and again. All of our plates, mugs, pitchers, bowls, teapots, coffee pots and ovenware are available on line.  Be sure to check out our extraordinary range of Polish stoneware.  A winning combination of function and beauty make Polish pottery a striking addition to any home and an exquisite part of any collection!

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