The Ćmielów brand, which continues to produce porcelain to this day, is part of one of Poland’s oldest groups of ceramic factories. Its origins date back to 1790, a symbolic year when a local potter, Wojtas, gathered a group of individual craftsmen to form a primitive workshop. This early manufactory introduced task specialization, a significant innovation at the time. Alongside traditional clay pots, which had been produced in the region for centuries, the workshop began creating faience wares.
The factory's full-scale launch occurred in 1804 when it was officially registered. Its first owner and founder was Hyacynt (Jacek) Małachowski (1804–1830). He appointed specialists from outside Poland to manage key positions, while the core workforce came from the local community. After Małachowski’s death in 1821, his daughter inherited the factory, and an experienced professional, Adolf Fryderyk Watke, continued to lead it, achieving notable success. By then, the Ćmielów manufactory had established a strong presence not only in the domestic market but also across Europe.
In 1827, the factory was leased by brothers Jeremiasz and Beniamin Weiberg, who formed a trade partnership with merchant Franciszek Ordon, helping Ćmielów faience reach a growing number of customers. In 1838, the new owners, the Weiss family, began producing porcelain.
In 1849, Princes Józef and Aleksander Drucki-Lubecki became the factory's owners. During their tenure, decorating porcelain with multicolored printed patterns became widespread.
Between 1863 and 1880, the factory was owned by merchant Kazimierz Cybulski, who brought renowned ceramist Stanisław Thiele from France to oversee the production of majolica wares.
In 1869, a devastating fire destroyed the factory. However, it was quickly rebuilt, and by 1887, the Drucki-Lubecki family regained ownership. Specialists from Limoges, France, were brought in to improve production techniques and ensure the highest quality standards. Hand-painted decorations were complemented by the widespread use of decals. Numerous awards at exhibitions increased demand and contributed to the factory’s development.
In 1920, Prince Drucki-Lubecki sold the factory to the Polish Industrial Bank in Lviv, and it was renamed "Fabryka Porcelany i Wyrobów Ceramicznych w Ćmielowie S.A." (Ćmielów Porcelain and Ceramic Works S.A.).
In 1945, the factory was nationalized and operated as a state-owned enterprise until the 1990s. In 1997, it was privatized and became Zakłady Porcelany Ćmielów sp. z o.o. (Ćmielów Porcelain Works Ltd.).
In 2013, the Ćmielów Porcelain Works merged with Porcelana Chodzież S.A., forming Polskie Fabryki Porcelany Ćmielów i Chodzież S.A. The brand celebrated its 230th anniversary in 2020, marking over two centuries of tradition, craftsmanship, and excellence in porcelain production.
The origins of the Chodzież factory date back to 1852, when a faience factory was established. In 1942, faience production was replaced by porcellanite, and by 1962, a new porcelain production facility was constructed. In 1992, the company was rebranded as Zakłady Porcelany i Porcelitu "Chodzież" S.A. In 2002, it was acquired by new owners, and in 2013, it merged with the Ćmielów factory, forming Polskie Fabryki Porcelany "Ćmielów" i "Chodzież" S.A. In 2018, the Polish Porcelain Group was established.
Chodzież is one of the oldest Polish porcelain brands. Initially, the factory produced faience tableware, and in 1896, porcelain was introduced to its product range. Over the years, the Chodzież factory experienced numerous ownership changes. In 1926, the Ćmielów Porcelain Factory became the owner, uniting the production of both porcelain and faience.
After World War II, in the 1950s, the two factories went their separate ways, but in 2013, they were reunited, marking a new chapter in the company's history. This merger created the largest producer of thin-walled porcelain in Europe.
Today, Chodzież porcelain is a staple in Polish households, enhancing everyday meals with its elegance and timeless charm. It continues to meet the needs of new generations, combining functionality and modernity with a deep respect for tradition.
Current trends show that porcelain is valued not only for special occasions but also for everyday use. People want to dine in beautiful surroundings daily, serving meals on modern, functional tableware without waiting for a festive event.
Most Chodzież collections have been designed by the company’s Design Center, which dates back to the factory’s early days. The porcelain is known for its delicate and elegant designs, beautiful gilding, and forms that evoke the luxury of a bygone era.
Understanding that time is precious, Chodzież designs its collections to be dishwasher-safe, allowing users to spend more moments with loved ones. The brand also keeps up with evolving dining traditions by introducing new products and designs, with most pieces now available for purchase individually.
Chodzież collections represent “home porcelain” – both classic and modern designs that have adorned Polish tables for decades, making everyday moments special.
The variety of traditional and contemporary patterns ensures that everyone can find something that suits their style, allowing them to enjoy the beauty of this historic and exceptional porcelain for years to come.
Established in September 2013, Ćmielów Design Studio (ĆDS) is one of the brands of the Polish Porcelain Group. It stands out as a unique design studio in Europe, offering a creative space for design, production, experimentation, and educational and artistic projects.
The studio is led by Marek Cecuła, an internationally acclaimed ceramic artist and designer. ĆDS provides an open platform for artists and designers from around the world to create their own collections, with the opportunity to join the product offerings of the Polish Porcelain Group.
The studio’s mission is to establish a universal model of collaboration between designers, artists, and the industry, aiming to reach customers seeking contemporary, high-quality porcelain design. By combining centuries of porcelain-making tradition with modern aesthetics, ĆDS aims to create collections that stand out in European and global markets, proving that Polish porcelain goes far beyond traditional patterns.
One of the studio’s key initiatives is the concept of “art for industry”, highlighting the importance of designers in the creation of industrial products.
Ćmielów Design Studio hosts regular artist residencies and annual ceramic design seminars, attracting designers from all over the world. These programs foster creativity and innovation in ceramic artistry.
The collections produced at ĆDS showcase a new face of porcelain, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. Though ĆDS is the youngest brand of the Polish Porcelain Group, it is already recognized in the art world.
The studio collaborates with renowned institutions, including MoMA Design Stores in New York and Hong Kong, where its Kostki and New Atelier collections are exhibited.
Lubiana S.A. is a modern brand offering world-class tableware porcelain, renowned for its exceptional quality. The company specializes in producing high-performance porcelain that is widely used in restaurants, hotels, and private homes. Both business and individual customers can choose from a variety of shapes and decorations.
By consistently introducing innovative products, often with unique, irregular shapes, Lubiana not only meets the expectations of increasingly demanding customers but often surpasses them.
With 70% of its production destined for export, Lubiana’s products are found on tables across the globe, with sales in 40 countries worldwide.
New products and decorations are developed in collaboration with European designers, ensuring the offerings remain aligned with the latest market trends and customer needs. Lubiana’s modern production facilities and highly specialized workforce guarantee consistent, superior quality.
The company’s in-house Development Center allows for the creation of complex porcelain shapes, as well as the design and manufacturing of production tools and equipment.
The history of Lubiana S.A. began on September 1, 1969, when a single-factory enterprise was established in Łubiana as part of a national plan to develop the ceramics industry in northern Poland.
Why Łubiana?
The region offered ideal water conditions, ample land, and a skilled, motivated workforce. The location was approved by the Government Planning Commission in July 1962, with preliminary plans completed two years later. The entire project was driven by the goal of building a world-class tableware porcelain factory, informed by the latest advancements in ceramic industries and technologies from leading countries.
2003-2012 – Lubiana S.A. acquired 99% of Porcelana Chodzież S.A. and 86% of Zakłady Porcelany Ćmielów Sp. z o.o.
In 2018, the Polish Porcelain Group was established, combining the strengths of Polskie Fabryki Porcelany “Ćmielów” and “Chodzież” S.A. with Zakłady Porcelany Stołowej Lubiana S.A.
This merger brought together four leading Polish porcelain brands, creating one of the largest capital groups in the porcelain industry in Europe.
Today, Lubiana continues to drive innovation and growth in the porcelain sector, blending tradition, craftsmanship, and modern design to meet the needs of customers around the world.