The National Museum in Gdańsk (historically Danzig) is one of Poland’s oldest museums, formed through the merger of the Municipal Museum (1870) and the Museum of Decorative Arts (1881). Its origins trace back to the collection of Jacob Kabrun (1759–1814), which includes thousands of European paintings, drawings, and engravings from the late 15th to early 19th century.
The museum’s ceramics collection dates back to the late 19th century, when efforts began to establish a dedicated Museum of Decorative Arts. In 1881, Gdańsk collector Ludwig Garbe sold 433 objects to the museum, including around 60 pieces of Delftware. By World War II, the collection had grown to approximately 190 Delft ceramics, but many were lost during the war, leaving only about half surviving. Due to missing documentation from the German period, these figures remain estimates.
Despite these losses, the collection has continued to grow through purchases and donations, bringing the museum’s Delftware holdings to approximately 130 objects, alongside a significant collection of Dutch wall tiles.
The current permanent exhibition presents a selection of Delftware and tiles, including a set of large vases and covers marked LVE and a 17th-century panel by Jan van Oort. Archaeological excavations in Gdańsk have uncovered numerous Delftware fragments, particularly from De Drie Posteleyne Astonne during Gerrit Kam’s ownership (1679–1700)—a factory richly represented in the museum’s collection.
The significance of Delftware in Gdańsk reflects the city’s deep historical ties with the Netherlands. As a major trade hub, Gdańsk played a crucial role in Dutch-Baltic commerce, influencing architecture and decorative arts.
Plans are underway to expand the exhibition, allowing for a more in-depth presentation of the collection.
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