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Unique piece of Polish heritage on your table Posted by on Oct 18, 2019 in Culture

Living far away from my native country can be hard sometimes. I miss my family and friends, Polish food, Polish cities…customs and the language…There are of course different ways to fill in this gap: I can Skype or Face Time with people I love and miss, I can cook Polish food here in US, I can read Polish books. Of course it is not the same as being in Poland, but as close as I can get to it.

Another way for me to keep the Polish spirit alive is to fill my house with things that remind me of Poland. Every time I visit my native country, I try to bring a piece of it with me…For the most part it is art, souvenirs, things to decorate my house with. But there is one thing I’m absolutely obsessed with: Polish pottery!

Bolesławiec Polish Pottery is my favorite and I’m in the process of collecting as many pieces as I can:) It has everything you need for your kitchen! There are so many different designs and styles, that it’s almost hard to choose from. I chose one specific design and any time my parents ask what to get me as a gift, I say: “Pick another piece of pottery from my favorite Bolesławiec”! Since it is such a high quality and handmade item, it is definitely a little pricy…But buying it one or two pieces at a time makes it more affordable and special at the same time (it’s like getting excited about each piece and putting all the puzzle pieces together over time).

This is the design I chose and own quite a few pieces already! Here are my dinner plates, butter dish and serving bowl.

Just check it out here . This is a Polish site and unfortunately I don’t believe they ship to USA…However you can really take a look at all the collections and then possibly look for single pieces online. You should be able to find their products on Amazon and by visiting this website.

Among the finest in the world, these high-quality table wares are renowned for their beautiful hand-finish, high durability, and original style. Their unique designs and patterns have made them sought after throughout the world for centuries.

Absolutely in love with this piece I got as a gift! I use it for pies and as a serving platter:)

Though originating in Świdnica in 1380, the first potters guild in the Bolesławiec area united around the start of the 17th century. Pieces of this era, usually pitchers or jug type vessels, are recognizable for their uniform in shape, brown glaze, and diagonal ridge patterns.

Due to the innovation of master potter Johann Gottlieb Altman in the latter half of the 19th century pieces began to be cast in the white clay of the Bolesławiec area. As well as being coated in a lead-free glaze that enabled the addition of many of the recognizable repeating circles, scales, flowers, dots, and clovers we see today through a stamping technique, unique to Bolesławiec ceramics.

1897 saw the founding of the first professional ceramics school in Bolesławiec. Their new use of stenciling techniques, matte glazes, vibrant colors, and gilding revolutionizing modern Bolesławiec pottery into what it is today.

Perfection, skill, and excellence, those are criteria that the artisans at Bolesławiec Pottery apply every day. The result is the best quality hand painted stoneware that is not just intended for everyday use but also beautiful and highly collectable. It is FREE of harmful elements like lead and cadmium, and safe to use in the microwave, freezer, dishwasher and oven (up to 480°F)!

I’m looking forward to hear from those of you who like or own any pieces from this pottery! Which style is your favorite? Please share this with us in comments below!

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About the Author: Kasia

My name is Kasia Scontsas. I grew near Lublin, Poland and moved to Warsaw to study International Business. I have passion for languages: any languages! Currently I live in New Hampshire. I enjoy skiing, kayaking, biking and paddle boarding. My husband speaks a little Polish, but our daughters are fluent in it! I wanted to make sure that they can communicate with their Polish relatives in our native language. Teaching them Polish since they were born was the best thing I could have given them! I have been writing about learning Polish language and culture for Transparent Language’s Polish Blog since 2010.


Comments:

  1. Sharon Postel:

    I have purchased many pieces of Polish stoneware in US from importers. I was just in Krakow in September 2019 & bought 3 more special pieces. I like the patterns with red and blue especially flowers. Each piece is unique and makes me smile with all of the intricate detail but carefree patterns.

    • Kasia:

      @Sharon Postel Sharon, I definitely agree with you on uniqueness of the pieces! I love blue and red flower patterns as well. They are just so vibrant and beautiful!

  2. Krystyna Hollis:

    A friend gave me a set of Boleslawiec coasters……I love them❤️

    • Kasia:

      @Krystyna Hollis Krystyna, what a great idea! I have to take a look at the coasters:)

  3. Leslie:

    I always enjoy reading your blog posts, and I was so excited to see this one about Polish pottery! I started collecting it about 5 years ago, and I’m surprised by how many pieces I already have! My first (and still favorite!) piece is a butter dish. I wish I could post a photo! 🙂

    • Kasia:

      @Leslie Thank you Leslie! I’m so glad you liked this blog post:) I have butter dish as well and love it! It’s worth mentioning that they have probably 3 different styles of butter dish. As many of readers know, shape of the most popular butters in Poland is different than here in USA. It’s more of a rectangle, wider than typical skinny butter sold here.

  4. Pam Prophet:

    Hi Kasia,
    How did you ever choose???? I just looked at the patterns three times to pick a favorite, but it was impossible!!!
    P.S. I love your pattern!

    • Kasia:

      @Pam Prophet Hi Pam! It was a tough choice for sure:) I just love the vibrant colors!