Bulgarian Pottery

Bulgarian pottery is both unique and highly-sought after in the world of ceramics.

Bulgarian pottery is both unique and highly sought after in the world of ceramics. The ceramic historical influence began 3,000 years ago when the Thracians settled into Bulgaria, and pottery remains have been unearthed that date back to these first settlers.

The Bulgarian people were descendents of Slavs and the Russian Empire before the Bulgars finally came and settled in amongst the Slavs. Pottery among other fine arts and crafts is a way of self-expression, and holds cultural ties to Bulgarian heritage.

A Pottery History

Ancient Bulgarian pottery is famous for its Thracian influence, obviously inspired by Greek culture. The shapes are similar to those found in both Greece and Turkey, and dyes and plants that were brought to the region to create the bold natural colors. Thracian pottery began to shine around the time that the Slavic people and the Bulgars settled.

Discoveries of ancient ruins that held primitive kilns and the pottery works themselves date back to around 340 BC. If you’re interested in trying to unearth your own collection, the best place for original pottery hunting is in Nova Zagora, in the southeast of Bulgaria, a small and charming town found somewhat near to the Turkish Border.

Since then, pottery in Bulgaria has evolved and changed to incorporate the various ethnic groups that have invaded and settled in the country. It is possible to find Roman influences from the 400 years under the Roman Empire, as well as more modern Turkish designs that stem from the time that the Ottoman Empire occupied Bulgaria.

The pottery designs found in Bulgaria today are much more user-friendly than in the past and are usable in the kitchen but attractive enough to simply display. Most tourists will look to pick up something that looks old, but plenty of contemporary Bulgarian potters are creating new shapes and incorporating new materials.

Troyan Pottery

When most people think of Bulgarian pottery, they will conjure up images of Troyan pottery. Troyan is a small town of around 30,000 inhabitants buried in the foothills of the Balkan mountain range northeast of the capital Sofia. Founded around 150 years ago, since then it has become the local center for arts and crafts with a specific focus on pottery.

Considered the purest form of Bulgarian pottery, Troyan pottery resembles the stripes and simplistic designs favored by the Thracians and Slavs. It makes use of the local red clay, which gives it a distinctive color and texture. Traditionally, the items are circular and decorated with a peacock-like design, with small raindrop effects created by painting with the fingers. However, modern artisans will use up-to-date techniques to provide richer colors and longer lasting glazes.

Buying Pottery in Bulgaria

Trying to buy authentic pottery in Bulgaria can be difficult. Most of the items sold in souvenir shops in the big cities will have been factory-produced to make a profit. While these will look great and will withstand heavy use in a normal kitchen, tracking true handmade pottery provides a sense of accomplishment and true collector's items.

The best place to find authentic pottery is a local artisan center such as Troyan, where you will be able to watch potters make the items before being able to purchase them. If this isn’t on your itinerary, then find a local market, as artisans making traditional Bulgarian pottery will often cut out the middleman and sell the items themselves for more profit. However, be prepared to haggle and to pay a little more than you would pay in a souvenir shop.