„Trzy puzdra z kaftiorami…”, czyli o fajansie i porcelanie na tykocińskim zamku

Abstract

Archaeological explorations carried out so far in the castle area in Tykocin – Podlachia, have delivered not only numerous, but also varied movable artifacts. Despite predominating objects of local production, there are also items from distanced production centers; these are, among the others, fragments of glass vessels, clay pipes, elements of armory and coins from 16 th century up to 19 th century. The article concentrates on two selected categories of modern imports and their local imitations, i.e. porcelain and faience. For 91 thousand of various source categories obtained in the discussed site, pieces of faience and porcelain create relatively small collection of 614 fragments, including 540 pieces of faience and 74 pieces of porcelain. The minimum number of those vessels was defined for 304, respectively: 251 and 53 items. Nearly half of all the fragments was obtained from mixed layers, made chiefly as a result of architectonic works, performed in the castle and around in the 60s of the last century. Most of the production was unsigned, therefore it is rather difficult in defining the objects’ origin and precise dating. Only ten vessels are marked (five porcelain and five faience ones), seven of which created possibilities of identification. Production places of majority of items were stated on the base of manufacturing techniques and comparative analyses. It was possible first of all for ornamented examples with decorative elements characteristic for particular workshops, production centers on vessel types. This collection consists, among the others, of the most expensive and the most desirable products of those times – original China, Dutch faiences of Delft, English dishes from Josiah Wedgwood’s manufacture(?) and porcelain from Meissen of Saxony and royal Vienna manufacture, but moreover – products probably from workshops situated in Italy, England (Bristol), France (Nevers, Rouen, Sevres), other German centers (Volkstedt), Silesia (Proszkow Śląski), Volhynia (Korzec, Baranowka, Horodnica), Pomerania (Gdansk, Szczecin area) and Lesser Poland (Cmielow, Ilza). The listed finds are mainly elements of crockery sets – plates, saucers, bowls, cups, soup tureens and vases, pitchers. The collection is completed by a tea-pot and lids (probably for jugs). Tykocin assembly also possesses one sanitary vessel – a bed-pan. The assortment of faience products is more diversified, in comparison with more unified porcelain collection, although in both ceramic groups – plates are in predominance. The described artifacts is an interesting material evidence of needs and aesthetic preferences of the buyers, new trends in ceramic manufacturing of the period and consumption fancies, the proof of fulfilling the orders and active commodity exchange between Tykocin and the Baltic towns, as well as the capital in modern period. As far as kinds and ornamentations are concerned, the products refer to common trends in West European and home ceramic production from the end of 17 th century up to 19 th century. Majority of the described products, both porcelain and faience ones were used when the castle was owned by the last two Branicki Family representatives – Stefan Mikolaj (about 1640–1709) and Jan Klemens III (1689–1771). It can not be excluded, that some of these objects were brought to the castle in the beginning of 18 th century together with Polish of foreign monarchs’ courts. On the base of historic evidence existing we have only information on the movable property of Jan Klemens III, but there is lack of information concerning the objects belonging to his father. There are no direct remarks about the objects brought or being in possession of Tykocin castle residents; there are only notices saying about dishes ordered by the hetman or belonging to the equipment of his other seats, first and foremost, the palaces in Bialystok, Warsaw and Choroszcza. However, these documents deliver precious information on the assortment belonging to Jan Klemens III and consisting of faiences and porcelain, their quantity, origin and destination, the owner’s preferences as to types, ornaments and colors of the preferred vessels. It can be speculated that some of those objects reached Tykocin and were used here during more ceremonious occasions.