Collection: Ceramic Cookware
Mass production is not our way. Polish ceramic cookware from Bolesławiec is made by artisans like in the old days. Our baking dishes, platters, and gravy boats are shaped from durable stoneware clay and hand-decorated. The dishes take about a week to complete, and they pass through many skilled pairs of hands along the way.
The clay we use comes from near the town, just as it has for centuries. It contains minerals that give our cookware its strength when fired at high temperatures.
Ceramic Baking Dishes with Handles
Our most popular ceramic cookware items are round baking dishes with handles. They are used for baking and casseroles. The product is dishwasher-safe and suitable for the oven. You can easily lift the ceramic cookware by the handles when the dish is hot. The sides are high, so you can make casseroles, gratins, and baked pasta without spilling over.
Unlike metal bakeware, they do not react with acidic foods. They are safe to prepare tomato-based dishes and fruit crumbles that you can later divide into smaller portions on ceramic plates.
Rectangular Ceramic Baking Dishes
Rectangular baking dishes for lasagne, shepherd's pie, and roasted vegetables. The straight sides stop gravy and sauces from spilling over, and the corners make it easy to portion out servings.
Patterns on the Ceramic Cookware
Ceramic cookware has hand-stamped patterns. They are made with rubber stamps dipped in coloured clay. As a matter of fact, the decoration is built into the dish itself, so it will not fade. You can choose several different styles from our range:
- dark blue dots,
- peacock’s eye
- colourful flowers,
- green leaves.
Most dishes have a pattern in the middle that you only see as the food gets eaten. It is like a little surprise at the bottom of your shepherd's pie. As a bonus, you can cook and serve the food in the same dish!
The Heritage of the Bolesławiec Ceramic Cookware
In medieval times, local craftspeople first created practical cookware using Bolesławiec exceptional clay deposits. They made sturdy cooking pots, baking dishes and large containers for food storage.
The 19th century brought significant changes to Bolesławiec cookware. Potters discovered techniques for creating light-coloured, and more heat-resistant pieces. The introduction of white feldspar glazes created the perfect backdrop for the cobalt blue decorations that would later become the pottery's signature look.
When World War II ended, the pottery tradition in Bolesławiec faced serious challenges. Many workshops were destroyed, and skilled potters were displaced. Nevertheless, the community worked to preserve their heritage. They rebuilt their kilns and workshops, passing down techniques that might otherwise have been lost.
Benefits of Polish Pottery Ceramic Cookware
The ceramic cookware from Bolesławiec has several benefits. First, it retains heat well. Once hot, it keeps your food warm longer than metal or glass dishes. Moreover, the thick stoneware heats evenly. There are no hot spots that could burn your food.
Second, all ceramic cookware is oven-safe up to 220°C. They can go directly from a refrigerator to an oven without cracking. However, we recommend letting them warm slightly on the counter first to prevent thermal shock.
Third, unlike some ceramic dishes, cookware made of Polish pottery has a smooth, non-porous glaze. The food does not stick to the surface, and the surface itself is easy to clean in a dishwasher or by hand.
Durable Ceramic Cookware
The clay contains minerals local to the Bolesławiec region. Those minerals are the reason why the cookware becomes so durable when fired at high temperatures. As a result, baking dishes resist chipping and cracking.
Many families have been using the same ceramic baking dishes for decades. The colours remain true after hundreds of uses. This exceptional durability makes them excellent value despite the initial investment. We recommend following a couple of rules to prolong the life of your cookware:
- hot dishes must cool naturally before washing,
- use regular washing-up liquid and avoid harsh scourers,
- store the dishes where they will not get knocked about too much.
If food gets stuck, soak the dish in warm water before washing.
From Polish Pottery Workshop to Your Table
Bolesławiec ceramic cookware passes many hands before it lands in a shop. Carefully planned steps between raw clay and finished product make sure the dishes are ready to be a part of your kitchen.
All our glazes are completely lead-free and cadmium-free. You do not need to worry about harmful chemicals leaching into your food. The natural materials break down safely if ever discarded. Though most pieces last so long they become family heirlooms instead of landfill. Perhaps the greenest thing about our cookware is that you will not need to replace it every few years.
Choose your very own Polish artistic ceramics directly from the factory in Poland that will decorate your table!
Presentation of the Works by Manufaktura
Design „makes THE difference” – this motto guides „Manufaktura” at every stage of creating unique stoneware vessels.
Therefore, in our offer, you will find distinctive cobalt stamps typical of Bolesławiec ceramics, wave motifs, and exceptional patterns designed by artists collaborating with the Factory, where tradition intertwines with modernity, and classic design merges with contemporary aesthetics. This is particularly evident in the latest projects, such as the Modern collection by Magdalena Gazur .
All vessels are handcrafted and decorated using the stamping method.