The elite club of the GUILD OF ARTISTIC CRAFTS at the Chamber of Crafts in Wrocław numbers just 18 people. Under number 11 we find the name of Bolesławiec resident Mr JANUSZ JAKUBOWSKI, creator of original fine ceramics bearing the “DANA” trademark. During the period of political transformation, the private company stands out for its dynamic growth and export expansion—no small achievement. The round anniversary of 20 years of “blazing production and trade trails” in the local ceramic district, which Bolesławiec has become over the centuries, has just arrived, so we are speaking with a successful man and professional in the demanding occupation that Mr Janusz has made his own.
But first—a brief historical outline. The Bolesławiec region has a long tradition of producing ceramic goods, dating back to the early Middle Ages. The “art of fire” has always flourished here. In the 16th century, a potters’ guild existed in Bolesławiec, although we do not know the exact date of its establishment. In 1660, the magistrate approved the guild’s statutes, including a provision permitting no more than five potteries to operate. The master potters jealously guarded this privilege, so journeymen had to establish their own workshops in nearby localities (Nowogrodziec, Ociec and others). The local Ceramic Museum preserves examples of ceramic vessels dating from the 17th century. These are hand-thrown jugs with spherical bodies, diagonally grooved by pressing fingers inserted into the vessel. A clay that fired brown and produced a glassy, impermeable surface was used to glaze them. This is so-called earthy glaze, typical of Bolesławiec products.
But our master ceramicist draws on other, more recent traditions of local craftsmanship with roots extending back 160 years. Utility and aesthetic qualities are harmoniously combined here: the high quality of the product, its functionality, and the eye-catching beauty of its form, decoration and distinctive style, which set this type of fine ceramics apart from the rich array of other manufacturers and the avant-garde offerings of contemporary factories. This is true art for connoisseurs, experts, people with good taste and a passion for creating an oasis of beauty in their surroundings, because every small ceramic object bears the marks of a miniature work of art—unique and unrepeatable.
We give the floor to the creator of the rapidly expanding company with the graceful name “DANA”, Mr JANUSZ JAKUBOWSKI:
– I come from the Bolesławiec Ceramic Plants; that is where I took my first professional steps and learned good craftsmanship. But I gained the true finishing of a professional under Mr Jerzy Puchalski at Dolne Młyny Street, and that was a good school of mastery in a demanding industry. I now have 20 years of workshop experience behind me—a round anniversary, a period lived very actively. The stages of my career are linked with the development of the company, which has now become established, can withstand any competition and is growing while seeking its own export routes, especially to Germany. On 20 March 1975, I began working independently in Bożejowice, then in Rakowice (“DANA I”). In the meantime, I leased the facilities of a bankrupt company in Parowa; later, further plants were added: “DANA II” in Kraszowice, “DANA III” in Ocice, and a company store in Czerna.
But Mr Janusz also seeks an outlet for his creative energy in other fields: he formed a partnership with Ms Małgorzata CZUBALA, “CERLAMP”, in Okmiany, and is already producing aroma lamps for the German company “Nourelle”. So far, this is the only manufacturer of this sought-after article, which means a decent profit and further economic development. Let us return, however, to Bolesławiec’s speciality—fine or artistic ceramics, since the two names closely correspond.
An unquestionable measure of success is the production of around 200 product lines, distinguished by hand-stamped decoration, typical of our region both in the past and today. It is a labour-intensive process, but the aesthetic result is unfailing. The Germans snap up this kind of old-fashioned ware, as it requires no advertising or persuasion regarding its practical qualities. Beauty cannot be hidden; it radiates from every carefully finished detail, delights and captivates. Vases, dinnerware sets, flasks, bowls, decorative trinkets—all of them enchant with their form and colour, functionality and beauty. Let us hope that these fragile but valuable products, the “art of fire” (as the French call it), will never be absent from the Bolesławiec market... We wish the company many contractors, well-deserved satisfaction and many more anniversaries.