One more cup of coffee...

A cup is an object we can find in almost every household. Its function may be decorative, but it is predominantly a utilitarian object. Morning coffee or afternoon tea drinking remains popular in our times and porcelain cups are perfect for it.

What is porcelain? It is a type of ceramic material of a particular composition, which is cast, formed, subjected to thermal processing, decorated and fired again. A modern tea or coffee cup is a vessel modeled on cups used for drinking tea in the Far East. Are all cups the same? Certainly not! Such objects may have various shapes and capacity. Traditionally, cups for flat white coffee, for mocha and for tea were produced. They were part of breakfast and dinnerwar sets.

The ”Giesche” porcelain factory was the only porcelain producer in Katowice in the interwar period. It was established in 1923,  based on a small plant producing electrotechnical porcelain. Following the expansion of the range of products by tableware and bric-a-brac, ”Giesche” products started to compete with the output of the famous Ćmielów factory! Thin walled porcelain cups delight with their finery and artistic decoration.

This factory was founded in 1929 in Bykowina (at present a district of Ruda Śląskiej). It was founded by Richard Czuday. Pink and ivory coloured porcelain products were manufactured there, among them tableware, vases and bonbonnieres. After World War II, ”Huta Franciszka” was transformed into a branch of ”Bogucice” Porcelain Plant, which operated until 1988. The exhibition presents, among others, examples of cups in art déco style or a set with ivory-coloured relief decoration.

”Bogucice” Porcelain Plant was formed based on the former ”Giesche” factory in 1952. The first years of its operation  were devoted to creating entirely new models and decoration patterns. The characteristic style of the products of the 1950s and 1960s is known today by the name of New Look. Designers associated with the Institute of Industrial Design, an institution which exerted a great influence on the utilitarian art of the period of the Polish People’s Republic, cooperated with the Bogucice plant. It operated until 1993. Among its products, examples of historicizing and modern forms can be found.

The Katowice Ceramic Products Factory ”Steatyt” was established in 1947. It was a private company founded by Zygmunt Buksowicz. Initially, it produced electrotechnical porcelain, later the production of coffee and tea sets as well as various bric-a-brac in the form of figurines, vases, ashtrays and jewellery was initiated. Fanciful designs and lustrous colors became the hallmark of products by ”Steatyt” which ended its production in 1994.

The original forms of cups, saucers and plates are emphasized by vivid colours and the whole decoration is complemented by ample gilding.