Clay mining is a fascinating process—especially when you think about how something as humble as earth turns into something as beautiful as Polish Pottery. Here’s how it typically works:
1. Locating the Clay Deposits
Clay forms over thousands of years from the weathering of rocks (often feldspar-rich ones). In places like Bolesławiec, the prized white clay is found in natural deposits near the surface of river valleys or hillsides.
2. Excavation
Once a clay deposit is identified, it’s usually mined in open pits. Heavy machinery (like backhoes or excavators) scoops out the raw clay. In more traditional or small-scale settings, clay can also be dug out by hand.
3. Initial Preparation
The raw clay is often mixed with other natural materials in the soil—roots, rocks, sand. These are removed through a process called screening. Sometimes water is added to help separate impurities.
4. Aging & Weathering
Clay that’s destined for fine ceramics is sometimes left to “age” outdoors for weeks or months. This makes it more plastic (easier to shape) and enhances its quality.
5. Refining
The clay is then processed into a fine, consistent material. This might include grinding, blending, and filtering to ensure smoothness. In modern factories, the refined clay is shaped into blocks or liquid “slip,” ready for artisans to mold.
Fun Fact – Bolesławiec White Clay
The white clay used in Polish Pottery is especially valued because it’s kaolin-rich. This gives it its light color, durability, and ability to withstand the fiery 2,200°F kilns without cracking.
At the annual pottery festival in Bolesławiec, it’s not unusual to see revelers with streaks of white clay on their arms and faces—a playful nod to the very earth that makes this town world-famous. That same creamy white clay, dug from the hills around Bolesławiec, is the heartbeat of Polish Pottery. To the untrained eye, it might look like nothing more than mud, but in the hands of skilled artisans, it becomes the foundation for pieces that are as enduring as they are beautiful.
