Ceramic dumplings from Bolesławiec. A small product is causing a sensation

·18 August 2026

They look just like real dumplings, but they’re made from ceramic clay and fired in a kiln heated to around 1250°C. VENA Artistic Ceramics’ ceramic dumplings have quickly become one of the most unusual products from this studio, which carries on the Bolesławiec tradition. A video showing how they are made has already surpassed 2 million views on Instagram, and Ewa Walczak, the company’s founder, is approached by customers from all over the world.

Ceramic dumplings from Bolesławiec – the beginning

The ceramic dumplings are made entirely at the VENA Artistic Ceramics workshop in Brzeg. Several people work on each one, and the first stage begins with a hand-made model. This was prepared by Marek, a modeller associated with the company. Plaster moulds were created based on the model, which are used to cast subsequent pieces from ceramic clay. Once removed from the mould, each dumpling is hand-finished. Any casting residue is removed, whilst the surface is prepared for further work. The small pieces are then left to dry before undergoing their first firing. At a temperature of around 850°C, the bisque is formed – that is, a pre-fired piece ready for decoration.

The mystery of the cobalt colour

The real spectacle begins after the first firing. The dumplings are hand-decorated using brushes and stamps. Among the designs are cobalt-blue ornaments closely associated with Bolesławiec ceramics. Each motif is created by hand, which is why individual pieces may differ slightly from one another and no two items are exactly the same. An interesting fact is the very process by which the cobalt colour is created. Before firing, the pigment has a delicate lilac hue. It is only when exposed to high temperatures that it transforms into the deep blue so characteristic of this type of pottery. After painting, the dumplings are coated with a transparent glaze and returned to the kiln. The second firing takes place at a temperature of around 1250°C.

‘I ♥ Bolesławiec’ on a ceramic dumpling

Selected dumplings feature the inscription “I ♥ Bolesławiec”. This is a personal touch by Ewa Walczak, the owner of VENY and a lifelong resident of the town.

“Some of the dumplings bear the inscription ‘I ♥ Bolesławiec’. It’s my little tribute to the town I come from and to which I feel a strong connection,” says Ewa Walczak. She adds that Bolesławiec is her family home. The dumplings themselves are, however, much more than just a decorative miniature version of a popular dish. Depending on the version, they can serve as a salt shaker, a cutlery rest, a fridge magnet, a decoration or a Christmas tree bauble. The same idea has therefore been given several different uses.

VENA Artistic Ceramics has been in operation since 2003

VENA Artistic Ceramics was founded in 2003 in Bolesławiec. It was founded by Ewa Walczak, who developed the family business based on the hand-made production of ceramics. From the very beginning, the brand has drawn on the town’s centuries-old pottery traditions, where the history of ceramics production dates back to the Middle Ages. Today, the company produces, amongst other things, plates, bowls, mugs, teacups, jugs, teapots, vases, containers, pots and platters. The range also includes small decorative items, figurines and other ceramic objects. The dumplings are therefore part of the workshop’s wider range of activities, which utilises traditional techniques to create less obvious forms as well.

Ceramic dumplings and their huge popularity

“Initially, the dumplings were simply meant to be an interesting ceramic accessory. However, it very quickly turned out that they had won over the hearts of our customers,” admits Ewa Walczak. A video showing how they’re made became an internet hit, and this small item began to attract the attention of people who hadn’t previously been interested in Bolesławiec ceramics. Their success also stems from a simple association. Dumplings are the most popular dish in Polish cuisine, whilst Bolesławiec is famous for its hand-decorated ceramics. VENA has combined these two motifs into a small item that can be placed on a table, hung on a fridge or used as a decoration.

“Each one is handmade and each contains a piece of our workshop, our craftsmanship and… a little bit of love for pierogi,” sums up the owner of VENA. It is precisely this blend of handiwork, local ceramics and a light touch of humour that has seen the little ceramic pieróg take the world by storm.

Source: VENA Artistic Ceramics