Polish Pottery Serveware

Choosing Polish Pottery Serveware

Serving pieces are where Boleslawiec earns the "oven to table" reputation. Because the stoneware is fired at about 1,250°C (2,280°F), a platter or rectangular dish can heat in the oven, keep food hot on the table for an hour, and go straight into the dishwasher, and the hand-stamped pattern under the glaze will look the same after years of holidays. Every shape here comes in the same patterns as the dinnerware, so the table reads as one set whether you match everything or mix designs from the same family.

Platters

Large platters are the ones for the roast, the turkey, or a whole side of salmon, about 14 to 16 inches long [confirm]. Medium platters, about 11 to 13 inches [confirm], are the everyday size for sliced meats, roasted vegetables, or a family main course, and the size most often bought as a wedding or housewarming gift.

Rectangular dishes and trays

Rectangular serving dishes have depth: use them for lasagna, baked pasta, and layered salads, and bake in them directly. Rectangle trays are flat, for bread, cheese boards, sushi, and passed appetizers. The divided appetizer tray keeps olives, nuts, dips, and crudités separate on one piece.

Small serving pieces

Deviled egg plates hold a dozen halves in shaped wells and work as well for stuffed mushrooms and truffles. Corn-on-the-cob dishes are boat-shaped so the butter pools where the ear sits. Egg cups are the classic footed shape for a soft-boiled egg and double as dipping-sauce cups.

Related pieces in other sections

Gravy boats and soup tureens are under Kitchen & Table; chicken bakers, which double as platters, are under Bakeware; sugar bowls & creamers are under Mugs; and serving bowls are under Bowls.

Choosing a pattern

Serveware comes in the same three families as the dinnerware. Traditional patterns such as Peacock 56, Nature 41, and Daisy Dreams 120 are the classic cobalt-on-cream designs and the most economical. Signature "a" patterns such as Floral Peacock 166a and Blue Diamond Dream 217a add extra colors and detail. Unikat and DU designs such as Floral Butterfly Unikat 149ar and Mosaic Flower DU60 are the artist series, signed by the decorator; a large platter is the biggest canvas in the range and shows their full design. The pattern number is shared across every shape, so a platter in 166a matches plates, bowls, and mugs in 166a.

Care and use

Dishwasher safe, microwave safe, oven safe to 480°F / 250°C [confirm], and freezer safe. Avoid sudden temperature changes and keep pieces off the stovetop and out from under the broiler. Large platters are heavy when full; lift with two hands from underneath rather than by the rim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I heat food in a Polish pottery platter?

Yes. Platters and rectangular dishes are oven and microwave safe, so you can warm or bake in them and serve directly. Avoid moving a cold dish straight into a hot oven.

What size platter do I need for a turkey?

A large platter, about 14 to 16 inches long, holds a 12 to 14 lb bird. For a chicken or a roast, the medium platter is enough.

Do the serving pieces match the dinner plates?

Yes. The same pattern number is used across every shape, so a platter in 217a matches dinner plates, bowls, and mugs in 217a.

Are they dishwasher safe?

Yes. All Boleslawiec stoneware is dishwasher safe; the pattern is sealed under the glaze and will not fade.

Are the pieces sold individually or in sets?

Individually. Buy exactly what you need and add matching pieces later; the patterns stay in production.