Collection: Plates

Ceramic plates from Bolesławiec have been a big part of Polish tableware for centuries. People started making pottery here in the 14th century. However, the stamped patterns we know today became popular around the 18th century.

The ceramic plates are made from strong stoneware clay and decorated by hand using stamps. If you look closely, you will notice small differences between plates with the same pattern because people make them, not machines. It is interesting how Polish plates have spread all over the world. You will find them in kitchens all over Britain, America, Japan and other corners of the world.

Types of Bolesławiec Plates

We make several different kinds of plates in our pottery factory in Poland. The most popular are our dinner plates. They are 26 cm across. Their slightly raised edges keep sauces from running off. Many of our British customers use them for Sunday dinners.

We also make smaller breakfast plates about 22 cm across for salads and desserts. They are lead-free and food safe, like all our pottery. A non-porous surface does not absorb odours or flavours.

Our pasta and soup bowls are deeper than regular plates. They are 24 cm across and hold approximately 500 ml of liquid, which makes them perfect for pasta dishes, hearty stews, or chunky soups. The wide rim makes them easy to handle when full. Moreover, you can stack them neatly in kitchen cupboards to save space.

Ceramic Plates’ Patterns

One of the most loved traditional designs is the peacock's eye. It looks like a dot with curved lines around it. Another classic is the blue dot pattern, sometimes called blue eye. It is simple but looks good, and it is easy to mix with other patterns. That's why many people start their collection with these plates.

We also adorn our dinner and breakfast plates with floral patterns: forget-me-nots, poppies, and daisies. Some designs spread across the whole plate, looking a bit like a garden. Blue and white are our most traditional colours. They have been used for hundreds of years. However, we like to add a fresh twist with modern colours and new patterns.

How Are Polish Pottery Plates Made?

We start with clay that contains minerals from the area and mix it to make it strong when fired. We either shape ceramic plates on pottery wheels by hand or use presses to make sure they have flat bottoms and even rims. The shaped plates need to dry slowly for about 36 hours because if they dry too quickly, they might crack.

Once dry, we fire the plates at about 900°C. This makes them hard but still porous, and ready for decorating. Artisans press rubber stamps dipped in coloured clay onto each plate by hand. A dinner plate might need 30-50 separate stamps to create the full pattern. Later, we add a clear glaze over the top and fire the plates again at an even higher temperature, about 1250°C. From start to finish, each plate passes through many pairs of hands!

Polish Pottery Dinner and Breakfast Plates that Last

The ceramic plates from Bolesławiec are stronger than other ceramic plates. Customers tell us they have been using the same plates for decades without issues, as they do not chip easily when knocked against other dishes in the sink. The reason behind this is that we fire the stoneware clay at very high temperatures.

The thick stoneware keeps your food warm for a long time. Even in winter, when you do not want the food to get cold before everyone is served. The dinner and breakfast plates resist scratches; their colours will not fade easily because pigments are applied under the glaze, not on top, so they are protected by the clear glassy layer. Moreover, all Bolesławiec plates and bowls are safe for the dishwasher, microwave, and oven up to 220°C.

Polish Pottery as Home Decor

Many people use Polish pottery plates to decorate their homes. You can place them on kitchen shelves or in glass cabinets. Standing plates add colour to your kitchen. They look extra nice when sunlight hits them and makes the shiny glaze sparkle. They never go out of style.

Polish Pottery Bolesławiec Plates as Gifts

Polish pottery plates make wonderful gifts because they are beautiful and useful. People give them as wedding, housewarming, or retirement gifts. We wrap the pieces individually in bubble wrap and place them in sturdy boxes with plenty of cushioning material so you do not have to worry about any problems with shipping.

Are you ready to get your own polish pottery plate? Browse Polish artistic ceramics directly from the factory in Poland and find a pattern that speaks to you!