Daniel Ozdín
Modra ceramics, which represent our essential cultural heritage in majolica pottery, mainly comprise of various jugs and plates which had a practical or decorative function. Later, mainly in the last third of the 19th century, bowls were added to the basic range, and as early as in the times of the Habaners, various small figures – usually children’s toys – were also fired in the furnace with them. An important change took place in 1883 with the establishment of the apprentice school in Modra, not only in terms of the ornamentation of Modra ceramics, but also in the variety of its products. The widest range of ceramics was available in what was called at the time the Slovenská keramika Modra (SKM) [Slovak Ceramics Modra] during the interwar period, when old patterns were still being used, and folk production gradually adapted itself and became simpler. Statuettes started to be made, mainly using a mould; dinner and coffee services were also made on a larger scale. Last, but not least, modern ceramics in Art Deco style was also made. The product range, unlike previous periods, was complemented above all by various vases, candleholders and also food containers which experienced the greatest boom in the production of the Modra factory during that period.