Living Museum of Porcelain in Ćmielów

The Ćmielów factory opened a pottery in 1790 and began making faience in 1804. Production of high-quality porcelain started in 1838 and the factory was expanded with new buildings soon afterwards. It still specialises in making high-quality porcelain by hand. The museum is in a building for firing after decoration and shows the electric ‘muffle’ kiln used. On display are items from the beginning of faience production, through various periods of porcelain to recent figurines. The museum shows the history of production, the forms from different periods and the methods of decoration. Dinner services appear alongside decorative porcelain, utility products and industrial ceramics. The exhibition also presents a collection of figurines from porcelain factories around the world. During the guided factory tour, visitors find out about the raw materials and how they are combined, problems such as shrinkage and methods of decoration. The visit includes a preserved kiln that was fired by coal and wood.