The History

Polish Pottery is handcrafted in the small medieval village of Boleslawiec, in the Lower Silesian region of southwestern Poland. It is only in this area that the fine natural clay used by artisans for centuries is found.

Evidence of active potters’ workshops in the area dates back to the 15th century. Boleslawiec became part of the Kingdom of Prussia in 1742, resulting in an influx of potters. In the 1700’s the artists of this region designed and crafted pottery for royalty, earning a reputation and standard of excellence which still remains in place. By the 1880s a royal pottery school was established and over 20 shops were operating.

After the end of WWII a defeated Germany forfeited Silesia to Poland and the German citizens were forced to leave. The Polish Government then began to rescue the traditional folk art by rebuilding factories and recruiting ceramic artists from other areas of Poland. Pottery making became a cooperative much like other production. The training program produced many new artisans to carry on the craft and post-communism production flourished.

Today skilled artists individually handcraft and hand-paint each piece of pottery using a hand stamping technique and free-hand design to achieve the exceptional attention to detail that you see.  As a result, no two pieces are exactly alike. Artists train for years to develop their skills. Once an artist achieves an exceptional skill level they are allowed to design their own patterns. The most beautiful and intricate patterns are called UNIKAT patterns. These pieces are marked UNIKAT and are signed by the artist. Becoming a UNIKAT designer is a highly coveted position for every artist in Boleslawiec. About 70% of the artisans are women.