The Great Gravy Boat Store

When you hear the term Polish pottery, you probably imagine that this type of pottery began in Poland. Well, actually, it didn't. What is known as Polish pottery today actually began in Silesia, which was a province of Germany until after World War II. Around the 7th century, the locals began experimenting with what would be termed Bunzlauer stoneware. The name Bunzlauer comes from Bunzlau, the name of the town where this type of pottery was first created. Today, Bunzlau is now known as Boleslawiec and is located within Poland. Boleslawiec, although it has changed countries and names, remains one of the centers of the European pottery world.

Located in southwestern Poland, Boleslawiec sits on the Bobr River and is near both the Czech and the German borders. The first forms of pottery made by the natives of Bunzlau were mostly used by farmers to store grain and other things. These pieces were covered in a dark glaze that is very similar to that found in pottery made by their contemporaries in the Americas.

According to records and archaeological evidence found in the area, pottery was often sold at local markets. Over time, of course, as the needs of people changed, so did the pottery produced. By the later 1800s and early 1900s, potters had shifted the bulk of their production away from farming containers and towards pottery intended for household use. They began creating bowls, plates, platters, and other pieces of pottery designed for use in the dining room and kitchen. They also began experimenting with colors, decorations, and other techniques designed to make pottery look more appealing. In fact, in 1898, the government actually funded a ceramic training school to help potters test new techniques and to train the next generation of pottery makers.

During the early 1900s, Bunzlauer pottery underwent a renaissance of sorts. The Jugendstil movement, an equivalent of Art Nouveau, made the traditional peacock's eye design the universal symbol of Bunzlauer pottery. Also in line with the Art Deco movement, the 1920s saw more and more color being added to Bunzlauer pottery. These two art movements brought the modern design and color to Polish pottery. However, this new style of pottery would be put on hold during World War II. Follow the war, the Bunzlau would fall under Polish control, much of its German population would be relocated, the city would be renamed Bolesawiec, and the pottery factories would be reopened.

Traditional Polish pottery is still primarily made in Bolesawiec today. Many of the most skilled potters still handcraft each piece of pottery and decorate it using tiny sponges and brushes. Every part of the pattern and each color is done individually using traditional methods. In fact, those who are certified as pottery masters create signature pieces that the artist creates himself. These unique pieces of pottery take quite some time to make and are created in very limited supply. Owning one of them, however, means owning a piece of pottery that is one of a kind. Pottery is also one of the few art forms were apprentices still study under a single master rather then be trained alongside others in a classroom.

Shop for brand name gravy boats below:

	Norpro Porcelain Gravy Sauce Boat with Stand and Candle List Price: $21.99 Sale Price: $15.99 Used From: $12.34
	Keep sauces and gravies warm with Norpro's Porcelain Gravy Sauce Boat with Warming Stand and included candle to ensure temperatures stay as desired. With its 2-cup (16-ounce) capacity, there is plenty of gravy to go around without needing frequent refills...

	BIA Whiteware Gravy Boat 16 Oz. List Price: $8.00 Sale Price: $8.99
	Solid, serviceable, can warm gravy in the microwave and present it at the table, it's an all around winner for serving gravy. You might also use it for serving other sauces.

	Anchor Hocking Gravy Boat, Glass List Price: $9.99 Sale Price: $9.99
	Clear, glass gravy boat from Anchor Hocking. Beautiful addition to any serving set. Classic style perfect for everyday to holiday celebration meals.

	HIC 18-ounce Porcelain Gravy Boat with attached Saucer and Ladle Set List Price: $15.00 Sale Price: $13.67 Used From: $12.44
	Beautiful whitewares are versatile. They go with any décor and they spotlight your culinary creations. When you spend so much time preparing attractive and colorful dinners don’t lose them to pattern and color – place lovely tomato gravy in a blue gravy boat and you’re sure to stifle your guest’s delight and wonder of the colorful, and carefully prepared, gravy...

	Corelle Coordinates Enhancements Gravy Boat List Price: $21.99 Sale Price: $21.99 Used From: $19.39
	Corelle6021659

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