Ceramics in Burgenland- Then and Now
The area that is now Burgenland( formerly Western Hungary)has a long history of working with the plentifull clay supplies.Oberpetersdorf was well known in the 18th and 19th centuriesfor Majolica jugs in the' Haban' tradition brought byAnabaptists in the early 17th century.
In Stoob both red and blue clay are still dug, and mostpottery produced in Burgenland today is made in this area.The' Plutzer' jugs made here since the 17th century havebecome the town's symbol.
The potters were organized in guilds. In 1872, after guildswere closed down in Hungary, the potters' cooperative' Gewerbe- Genossenschaft der Töpfer' in Stoob was founded.' Keramikland Burgenland' was founded in 2001.Both organizations continue to represent the ceramiccraftspeople in the area.
A ceramics school in Stoob existed from 1893-1905. Since1956 the current school has trained students from Burgenlandand other parts of Austria in the ceramic crafts: primarily tilelaying, and the construction of tile stoves. Graduates of theschool can go on to become Masters of their craft, or studyat art academies. There is also an advanced programme thatcan lead to studies at the university, and gives the right to thetitle of Engineer after three years of practical experience.
Since WWI and especially since WWII various attemptshave been made to find products that will sell becauseother materials are used for the production of dishes andtraditional pottery is no longer in fashion.
Modern Ceramics in Burgenland- A Study
The aim of this study was to discover how those workingin ceramics are able to continue to support themselvesby their craft. What do they produce? Who buys it? Wheredo they sell it?
The 15 craftsmen and women represented in this catalogueall work as independent craftspeople, doing all or most oftheir work on the potter's wheel. Many attended the ceramicsschool in Stoob. They have all expressed themselvesartistically since childhood, and are proud to be working inthis craft. Most of their work is done in the Stoob clay. It isnot only easily available to them, but is also very good towork with. However most of them make a few items fromthe German Westerwald clay, some also use raku clay.
Most of the products being made today are decorativeitems for house and garden: candle holders, animal figures( owls, cats), and house signs. The most common glaze isin tones of red. Very few sets of dishes are being producedtoday. The traditional permeable Plutzer is no longer beingmade. Most of the products are sold either directly at theworkshop or at markets nearby( up to 120 km). Tourists areoften glad to spend a bit more for good quality items.
Beyond the wheel
Other workshops in the area have found other ways to makea living from ceramics work. Friedl- Graf buys clay dug com-mercially, and prepares it for selling on to craftspeople bothin Austria and abroad. Keramo- Graf makes reproductions forhistorical buildings that are being renovated, and also carryout special designs for artists, eg. Arik Brauer. There are also,of course several businesses that build ceramic tile ovensand lay tiles for walls and floors. There are also many amateurceramic workers.
The Thumberger family has set up a workshop where theyoffer classes to those who would like to join these hobbyistsor increase their skills. Stoob thus offers everyone a chanceto work the clay with their own hands.
MarthaJeanne Barton
Súčasní hrnčiari v Burgenlande a v Bratislavskom kraji
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S CITOM V RUKÁCH