BUNZLAU CERAMICS

Overview

The result of an international interdisciplinary research project, the publication is the first comprehensive monograph of a ceramics factory in Lower Silesia, the “Feinsteinzeugfabrik Julius Paul & Sohn” in Bunzlau, active from 1893 to 1945.

A particular challenge for the authors was the fact that no historic source material had survived, all the regional archives and libraries having been destroyed during the war. Only a few original documents which had withstood expulsion and flight remained for evaluation. After the most thorough and wide-ranging researches it became possible to reconstruct almost completely the factory’s whole output on the basis of over 6000 Julius Paul ceramics scattered among more than 40 museums, collections and private owners in Poland, Germany, Austria and Holland, and finally to publish the results.

The present work Bunzlauer Keramik seeks to trace the history of a small pottery that became a world-famous company. Through comparison of measurements, shapes and designs as well as production technologies, it is possible to clearly differentiate between Bunzlau and other ceramic producers. All shapes and variations (about 650) are documented with photographs and precise technical drawings, and the highly diverse designs (some 800) and glazing techniques have all been analysed. A full documentary section including a register of over 170 marks, logos, paper labels and merchants’ marks, complete this standard work.

Full scholarly monograph on a company history which sets new standards for future research on ceramics. It is published as a special edition of NEARCHOS 8-10 for professionals and collectors.