I didn’t know much about Polish pottery until we started selling it as a retailer. My wife has had pieces for years, but I guess I never paid attention to it. I know I’m a guy, and I should probably be looking at sports equipment or tools; but this pottery is very pretty. The art and colors are beautiful and many of the pieces are great to display in your home and make a beautiful collectible that can be passed down as a family heirloom for generations! Ceramic is lead and cadmium free, and safe to use in the microwave, oven, dishwasher, and freezer. Best of all, it’s affordable and functional! Cooking on it is excellent and with its non-stick surface it beats using a Teflon coated pan (well now I seem to really know what I’m talking about).
This pottery has been around for centuries. In the 19th century ceramics became popular in Europe. Potters in Boleslawiec, Poland began to use more colors, stamp decorations (decorating the pottery by hand with stamps), and a white background that made the pottery much more vibrant. What makes this pottery very attractive and appealing are the bright colors used such as cobalt and peacock blues, browns, greens, yellows, and reds.
Polish pottery is a beautiful and durable glazed stoneware that is made by hand in Boleslawiec, which is located in the southwestern region of Poland. Stoneware is a clay (unique to the region) that is fired at extremely high temperatures exceeding 2200 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a man-made stone that does not crack or chip easily and is hard enough to resist scratching with a steel point.
There are several factories in Boleslawiec, Poland that make Polish pottery. I understand that the highest quality ceramics are made by Ceramika Artystyczna, and their craftsmanship is internationally recognized. They employ the most talented artists who hand paint each piece of pottery using brushes and sponges from the Baltic Sea. Another great manufacturer is Zaklady Ceramiczne. There are both “designers” and “artists” in the pottery process, and “potters” who have been involved in the business for generations.
How do I know the ceramic polish I’m buying is a “good deal” while also being of high quality? Ceramic wholesalers usually buy ceramic polishes from the same factories in Poland. However, not all wholesalers select the best quality and purchase from premium factories. The ceramic may have flaws or imperfections in the paint or even in the piece itself. Make sure that your ceramic polish is made in a high-quality factory in Poland. A good way to determine the level of quality is to look at where the ceramic polish is made in Poland (the actual factory) and determine if it is Quality #1gold GAT #1 (GAT abbreviation for gatunek – meaning “type” or “kind” in Polish), both mean that Polish pottery is of the highest quality.
Some ceramic pieces have a very complex design, are made with six and eight colors and are signed by the artist. These pieces are called signature patterns or Unikat, which is a Polish word meaning “unique.” Does this mean that all other ceramic polishes other than Unikat are not of high quality? Of course not, many, many pieces of Polish pottery, which are not signed by the artists, are beautifully designed and very high quality.
How do I know that the ceramic polish I am buying is a Unikat piece? These pieces although called signature patterns, they are not actually signed by the artist. The artists who paint exclusive patterns have extensive training in the art of Polish ceramics. It is important to note that there could be the same design number on one piece, but painted in different ways by different artists. The signature is located at the bottom of the piece and will generally state the following:
- The word “UNIKAT” with a number next to it, which is the pattern number.
- Artists name with an imprinted signature, or stamped signature of the artist who designed the pattern.
- Sometimes there is an indication of “Ltd Ed” for Limited Edition. Not all Unikat pieces are limited editions.
- Factory seal or mark stamped with insignia.
- Printed mark indicating Handmade in Poland.
- At the bottom of the pottery there is an alphanumeric code that is the initials of the person who painted the piece of Polish pottery. Next to the initials is a number. Each artist is assigned a unique number, to differentiate between artist names that may have the same initials. Examples of these codes are: MO 50 or TL 78.
When selecting this ceramic, sort it by manufacturer on the retailer’s website. Most websites have a Shop By Manufacturer function on the left or right side of the website. There are thousands of ceramic designs. Buying Polish pottery can be fun. Look for a retail website that allows you to buy for Pattern identification number, so you can see all the products in the same pattern. An example of this type of classification of Polish pottery can be found at the Elizabeth Michaels Home.