Discover the Rich Heritage of Latvian Ceramics

Ancient Latvian

ceramic

Antra Loce

Zane Novika

Ceramic

•

  Ceramic product creation is one of the oldest

  Ceramic product creation is one of the oldest

crafts industries. Already in the Stone Age

crafts industries. Already in the Stone Age

people in the world starts to use a simple clay

people in the world starts to use a simple clay

to prepare the dishes in which to store excess

to prepare the dishes in which to store excess

farm, cook meals, as well as the clay used in

farm, cook meals, as well as the clay used in

the cult objects and ornaments injection.

the cult objects and ornaments injection.

Originally used in an ordinary clay with

Originally used in an ordinary clay with

contamination, each instead of using natural,

contamination, each instead of using natural,

container or shape of the object is created in a

container or shape of the object is created in a

free form by hand, the products are not fired.

free form by hand, the products are not fired.

Latvian Ceramics

Latvian ceramics has been

Latvian ceramics has been

known for a long time. It

known for a long time. It

has always been different

has always been different

because ceramics in

because ceramics in

Latvia is interesting with

Latvia is interesting with

it’s color variations within

it’s color variations within

each region. Each region

each region. Each region

of Latvia ha

of Latvia ha

s

s

special characteristic

special characteristic

shape, ornamentation

shape, ornamentation

and color ceramics

and color ceramics

.

.



Vidzeme 

Vidzeme 

region ceramics 

region ceramics 

are

are

characterized by monumental and

characterized by monumental and

laconic style

laconic style



Kurzeme

Kurzeme

 region craftsmen made

 region craftsmen made

unique 

unique 

Kurzeme 

Kurzeme 

“branch” jugs.

“branch” jugs.



Latgale

Latgale

 region pottery is

 region pottery is

particularly famous. It is

particularly famous. It is

characterized

characterized

by brightly colored glazed pots, cups,

by brightly colored glazed pots, cups,

bowls, vases, candlesticks

bowls, vases, candlesticks

and whistlers (objects that, when

and whistlers (objects that, when

blown into, make whistle-

blown into, make whistle-

like sounds).

like sounds).



Latgale

Latgale

 ceramics masters work

 ceramics masters work

in authentic conditions in country

in authentic conditions in country

farms and kilns. Often masters

farms and kilns. Often masters

offers to participate in the process

offers to participate in the process

of making ceramics.

of making ceramics.



Latvians from ceramic

Latvians from ceramic

has manufactured the

has manufactured the

majority of kitchen

majority of kitchen

tools. In particular

tools. In particular

much praises is

much praises is

Latvian ceramics from

Latvian ceramics from

Latgale

Latgale

, where each

, where each

product is fashioned

product is fashioned

as a work of art - jugs,

as a work of art - jugs,

bowls, candlesticks,

bowls, candlesticks,

kitchen set, dishes,

kitchen set, dishes,

figurines, and much

figurines, and much

more.

more.

Ceramic plates and vases

•

Some of the most beautiful ceramic plates and

Some of the most beautiful ceramic plates and

vases Latvia has to offer are made in 

vases Latvia has to offer are made in 

Latgale

Latgale

region in Eastern Latvia. The earthy tones and

region in Eastern Latvia. The earthy tones and

traditional Latvian patterns have made 

traditional Latvian patterns have made 

Latgale

Latgale

ceramics popular outside of Latvia. Each vase

ceramics popular outside of Latvia. Each vase

is hand made and burned fire-wood heated

is hand made and burned fire-wood heated

oven, as a result the color theme will be

oven, as a result the color theme will be

slightly different for each item.

slightly different for each item.

Collection of Latgalian ceramics

A visitor should not miss a major collection of

A visitor should not miss a major collection of

Latgalian

Latgalian

 ceramics, paintings and ethnographical

 ceramics, paintings and ethnographical

objects in the 

objects in the 

Latgale

Latgale

 cultural history museum.

 cultural history museum.

The collection can be viewed at two permanent

The collection can be viewed at two permanent

expositions –

expositions –

 Rēzekne 

 Rēzekne 

during the ages, and

during the ages, and

Latgale

Latgale

 ceramics.

 ceramics.

A metallic replica

A metallic replica

Pārosis 

Pārosis 

in birch bark

in birch bark

for protection, its

for protection, its

handle is missing

handle is missing

Mug

Mug

Bowl

Bowl

MAGPIE’S

CERAMICS SCHOOL

Magpie’s Ceramics School follows

Magpie’s Ceramics School follows

Latvian pottery traditions the

Latvian pottery traditions the

beginnings of which can be found in

beginnings of which can be found in

the early Neolithic age when Baltic

the early Neolithic age when Baltic

peoples started to inhabit the

peoples started to inhabit the

territory around the lower 

territory around the lower 

Daugava

Daugava

river. In the course of centuries with

river. In the course of centuries with

changing values of different culture

changing values of different culture

traditions there has formed a

traditions there has formed a

recognisable branch of cultural

recognisable branch of cultural

heritage characterising 

heritage characterising 

Latvian

Latvian

national identity. It lets one feel the

national identity. It lets one feel the

fineness of aesthetics and the

fineness of aesthetics and the

unique world outlook of the Latvian

unique world outlook of the Latvian

people.

people.

LNMM

 The Ceramics

Collection

Of all collections preserved at

Of all collections preserved at

the museum the ceramics

the museum the ceramics

collection is the vastest and it

collection is the vastest and it

comprises about 5000 artworks,

comprises about 5000 artworks,

including architectural ceramics,

including architectural ceramics,

garden ceramics, ceramic and

garden ceramics, ceramic and

porcelain ware, decorative

porcelain ware, decorative

groups and figurines. The

groups and figurines. The

collection characterizes the

collection characterizes the

processes in the field of

processes in the field of

ceramics from the end of the

ceramics from the end of the

19th century to the present day.

19th century to the present day.