Nowadays, it is so easy to find generic, loosely Polish-related items marketed as Polish folk Art gifts. But there are still many gems that You can find and buy locally (and some of them also on-line)!
Paper cut-outs or wycinanki | POLAND and BELARUS
While compiling e-books with archive patterns of wycinanki (cut-outs) from different Polish regions, I realized that Łowicz, Kurpie and Opoczno each have very distinctive style and techniques. It’s mostly decorative, but there still are some secret meanings, like Leluja – a famous Tree of Life of the Slavs (more here).
Then I learned once that cut-outs like these were made also in… Belarus, but these are quite rare, as I’ve only once in my life saw it mentioned anywhere on-line.
Cristal and glasswork, vases | POLAND and CZECH REPUBLIC
From elegantly sparkling champagne glasses to quirky colorful vases – You will surely find something for Yourself among many kinds of crystal vases and glasses from Czech Republic and Poland. In fact the oldest working glasssworks in the World „Novosad a syn” is still open in Czechia. In Poland these places keep vanishing in recent years, but if not new, You will surely find some vase from Huta Julia or Krosno in any Polish bazaar, on-line marketplace or vintage store.
Laquered paintings and decorative plates, cups, bowls | RUSSIA and POLAND
The most well-known is Kokhloma from a Kokhloma region (more here), where black lacquered plates and spoons were made as early as in 1600s. Some are pretty primitive with simple flowers or strawberries, another are work of art with scenes from mythology and history. Sometimes You can find similar black, hand-painted plates in Southern Poland (these ones for example).
Slavic bedcovers | UKRAINE, LITHUANIA, POLAND
First bed cover I’ve ever got was from my Grandma that got it from a lady from Folwarki Tylwickie. In 2023 I started to sell it; firstly from Podlasie region, and then some from Ukraine, Romania, Lithuania or Belarus. I have a whole free e-book on them if You are interested, so check that out to know more about ancient loom weaving techniques and regional patterns.
Rushnyk, Biezhnyk and Laufer | every Slavic country
While having a shop I also learned a lot about different kinds of Rusnyks or „sacred towels”. First I thought it is a Podlassian, or perhaps Belarussian thing.
Then I learned that every Slavic land has its own variation. These were used for folk magic, protection and rituals once and I wrote more about it‘s sacred meaning here:
Folk Towel Magic: The place to meet a God
Pisanki | UKRAINE and POLAND
In Poland pisanki is something so basic that we don’t pay much attention to it, but actually it is very delicate and intricate art form that comes with hundreds of variants with beads, crochet, wax and paint. Interestingly, the oldest Polish pisanka is 1000 years old and there are Etruskan ones recorded that are even more ancient
And here is more on other Spring rites of Slavic countries.
Koniaków Crochet | POLAND
https://www.tvp.pl/program-tv/urodzeni-artysci-beata-i-karolina-legierskie/5f6e961fd03410ee1b226d09
I highly recommend this beautiful TV show episode about ladies that make crochet from Koniaków for Dior and other brands. This is an art form that takes months to finish, so almost no one can afford it, but the ones that can do it are often true craftsmen with love that pushes them to still do it.
Straw mobiles | POLAND, UKRAINE, LITHUANIA
On the surface straw mobiles is just an interesting Slavic home decoration, but there are ore deep meanings with some comparing it to the model of the Slavic cosmos.
Either way it is an elusive decor that You make for hours, put up for Christmas and then… it is gone after a month or two, just like the sand mandalas of Tibet. Check out Karolina Merska’s work to know more.
Flaxen Linen, bedding, tablecloths | BELARUS and POLAND
In Belarus there are still famous state owned (I think?) factories of linen, as we had them in Poland during Soviet Era. Nowadays this bedding and home decor is so premium compared to thin cotton stuff from China, and it is very easy to cheaply buy the vintage ones with faded floral 1970s ornaments, embroidery and crochet.
Modra Pottery and other hendpainted pottery | SLOVAKIA, POLAND
Koło, Lubiana and Bolesławiec in Poland and Slovakian Modra are the main places where floral plates, cups and bowls and handpainted since at least 1800s. Each place has its unique style and while it is hard to buy a big set and ship it abroad, You can opt for an egg-cup, a cup or a salt holder.
+ NON-POLISH BONUS:
Kolocsai tablecloths and pillowcases | HUNGARY
While buying tablecloths for my All Slavic store I learned this: it barely ever gets as colorful and intricate as in Hungarian art form of Kolocsai, named after a town in Hungary. I just can’t compare it to any other embroidery of the world – this one wins.
I hope You enjoyed this list of Top 12 Polish Folk Art Gifts for Slavic Culture Lovers, and if You want to know more, don’t hasitate to visit my All Slavic store or ask me anything Slavic-related on Instagram.
