Manufaktura Majoliki, Muzeum w Nieborowie i Arkadii

Majolica is the name for earthenware ceramics made of clay, marl and sand, covered with opaque glaze, subjected to a double firing process and richly decorated with colorful decorations. We owe the technique of creating faience ceramics to the Arabs who transferred it to Europe from the Middle East (Persia and Syria) in the 12th century. Initially, centers producing majolica items appeared on the Iberian Peninsula (Malaga, Valencia, Paterna). The name derived from the island of Majorca, spread in the fourteenth century in Italy, where numerous factories of this type of ceramics were established (Orvieto, Castel Durante, Faenza, Urbino, Savona). Starting from the 16th century, majolica production centers also existed in France (Lyon, Rouen, Nevers, Moustiers, Montpellier, Strasbourg, Paris), later in the Netherlands (Delfty), and also in many other countries. The development of majolica was halted in the 18th century due to the launch of porcelain production in Meissen. The majolica factory in Nieborów was established by prince Michał Piotr Radziwiłł in December 1881. For this purpose, the prince designated the interior of the former brewery building, adapted to the new function. The work of the factory was organized by the famous specialist sculptor and ceramist, Stanisław Thiele. In its heyday, the manufacture produced decorative tiles, stoves and fireplaces, vases and amphoras, jardinieres, vases, plates and other small items for utility and decorative purposes. All majolica products made here had a factory mark with the prince's initials under the prince's miter and the artists' signatures. The decorative forms and motifs were initially based on the patterns of historical Italian factories in Castel Durante, Urbino, Faenzie, the Dutch ones in Delft, and the French ones in Nevers, Rouen and Moustiers. Later, influenced by the press discussion, the prince also used national motives and patriotic content, referring to the history of Poland, local landscape and everyday life. The tradition of producing ceramics in the Nieborów estates returns in 1982, on the centenary of the establishment of the first Factory. In the untouched history of the manufactory building, which at that time already belonged to the Museum in Nieborów and Arkadia, a ceramic workshop is established, headed by Teresa Szałowska, and later - Krystyna Marek-Andrzejewska, producing copies of old vessels as well as decorative and souvenir products. There are also ceramic workshops. In 2017, the patronage over the studio was taken over by the Trzy Trąby Foundation. In the hands of the successors of the tradition of the first manufacture in Nieborów, objects made with the majolica technique, with unique aesthetics, combining elements of Nieborów ornaments and patterns with modern trends in applied art are created. Designs, casts, firing, hand glazing and decoration are made with care and exceptional care, equal to the mastery of their predecessors. Each of the products - utensils, trinkets, tiles - is stamped with the trade mark of the first manufacture (MPR with the princely miter est. 1881) with the note Majolika Nieborów and signed with the authors' initials. One of the first works is 60 plates decorating the walls of the restaurant room of today's Hotel Europejski.

Museum of amazing ceramics - majolica. I really didn't think any tiles or tiles could be that amazing! I would recommend!

Amazing ceramics.

The Majoliki Manufaktura has been operating in the palace complex in Nieborów since the end of the 19th century. Majolika is a name for ceramic products made of clay, marl and sand, covered with opaque glaze, subjected to the process of double firing and richly decorated with colorful decorations. From 2017, the factory is again active and run by the descendants of its founders. It produces service dishes and tiles, once richly decorated with floral motifs and landscapes in majolica technique, i.e. painted with colorful glaze. Today, ceramists from Nieborów continue this artisan tradition by modernizing the character of the products a bit. They give historical forms a new color, creating a new artistic value friendly to the modern recipient.

Manufaktura in Nieborów was founded in 1881 by the owner of the palace of Michał Piotr Radziwiłł as the Artistic Fans and Tiles Furnaces. In 2017, after more than a hundred years, the Radziwiłł family returned to the Nieborów manufactory. Each object is stamped with a factory mark from the time of Michał Piotr (initials MPR with princely m est est.1881 and Majolik Nieborów) and signed with the initials of contemporary artists. It is the only place in Poland where majolica is created in its original building, using traditional technologies and local materials. The entire production process is done by hand: forming from clay or porcelain by applying ceramic glaze and ending with decorating with majolica or gold. The unique advantage of this production method is the individual and unique look of each element.