Boleslawiec pottery…

I bought two of these dinner plates at TJ Maxx a few years ago…I believe they were $4.99 a plate. I love these plates because of the color, weight and 1/2 inch rim. Quite often when I reheat leftovers in the microwave I will place the reheated dish inside one of these plates, so I can easily carry the hot food to the couch, or the front or back porch. It is also a good plate for eating pasta, as the rim helps to keep the pasta on the plate when you are twirling it.

I would like to find a few more of these colorful plates. I checked out the bottom and found out they were hand made in Poland by Boleslawiec (pronounced bo-leh-swav-ee-ets) pottery. Boleslawiece makes a wide range of items. I was surprised to see that they were hand made and what a great deal I got on them…as it looks like one plate can range from $23 - $200. I think mine is authentic…but I am not sure. This is what I learned on the internet about the stamp. The largest and best producer of Boleslawiec pottery is the “Boleslawiec Artistic Ceramic”. Most of their work is exported. It can be recognized by a castle motif with a “B” stamped above it on works made prior to 1996, and work post 1996 can be recognized with a letter “B” above the castle enclosed in a teapot. All authentic Boleslawiec pottery will have “Hand made in Poland” stamped on the bottom. My B is next to the castle…not on top or below it…but it does have hand made in Poland on it.

Here’s a little information I got off the internet about Boleslawiec Pottery.

Polish pottery from Boleslawiec is probably one of the finest pottery produced in the world. Polish pottery is extremely durable, high-fired, non-porous stoneware dinnerware that can go straight from the microwave/oven to the table to the dishwasher. Our fine-quality handmade pottery table wares are renowned for their beautiful hand-finish, original style and high practicality. Polish ceramics have an individuality and "flavor" that is appreciated for its art and quality worldwide.

Boleslawiec Polish pottery line is classified as high-density stoneware, a very hard product shaped from opaque, white clay of the superb quality. It is resistant to chips and breakage. The dishes are completely safe for use with food - they contain no harmful substances. Polish pottery stoneware does not contain cadmium or lead.

High quality pottery is hand-formed and hand-decorated. Painting on pottery became richly colorful in Boleslawiec region. The ornaments are painted using the punch technique, unique to Boleslawiec ceramics. Decorative motifs are applied to the surface of the pottery object with small stamps soaked in paint. Different types of stamps are used to apply patterns on a single product. The number of individual decorative motifs achieved in this way can reach several thousand. The vibrant colors are chosen according to Polish custom producing a great diversity of brightly hued wares. One piece compliments another regardless of design.

Polish pottery is oven, microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe because the artists who create it carefully select their clays and bake them at the searing temperature of 2,246 degrees Fahrenheit - so it becomes as hard as stone and non-porous. The artisans coat all the colored patterns with a transparent, protective glaze in order to prevent wear and food from sticking.

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• Classic black and white purses
• 10 Chalkboard paint ideas
• Five Free Cell Phone Features
• Organizing with jars – Part I
• Organizing with jars – Part II
• Organizing with jars – Part III
• Dishes add color and whimsy to the garden
• Wallpaper Art
• Transforming a Goodwill table
• Repurposing flashcards
• Top 10 ideas for recycling greeting cards
• Hoops and fabric equal art
• Decorating with drop cloth curtains
• 10 uses for orphan sheets
• Organizing with Gladware
• Round robin clothing exchange and more

Thanks for stopping by Cottage Lifestyle and examiner.com.
Renee