February 6 – October 25 2020

Of crafts and craftsmen. The Miecznik Studio

Founded by Władysław Miecznik in 1936 and eventually closed in 2010, the family-owned engraving and bronze-working company was one of the most essential artistic craft studios in the post-war Warsaw. Both the history of the company and its products are inextricably linked to the fortunes of the Polish capital.

Crafted continuously for 74 years, Miecznik statuettes, medals, plaquettes and badges commemorated events attended by famous figures, recorded the activities of public authorities, organizations and associations, and served as mementos of the daily life and work of the city’s residents. In a unique way, the products „made by Miecznik” captured the political, economic, social and cultural developments taking place in Warsaw before the war and then afterwards, until the early 21st century.

The presented exhibits are part of a collection of 1331 items donated by Marta and Jerzy Miecznik to the Museum of Warsaw in 2010. The collection features a variety of bronze products and a unique collection of engraving matrices and patrices. We also present the Museum’s later acquisitions, featuring exhibits from the Socialist Realism Art Gallery of the Zamoyski Museum in Kozłówka, Museum of Artistic and Precision Crafts, Museum of Sport and Tourism, as well as from private collections of the Miecznik family and Mr. Artur Sawa.

Colophon

Of Crafts and Craftsmen. The Miecznik Studio
February 6 – October 25 2020

curator
Aleksandra Sołtan-Lipska

exhibition designer
MCHL Michał Sokołowski

graphic designer
Marta Caban

producers
Monika Mazurek, Katarzyna Grinberg,
Klementyna Świeżewska

selected exhibits are presented courtesy of:
Muzeum Zamoyskich w Kozłówce /
Zamoyski Museum in Kozłówka
Muzeum Rzemiosł Artystycznych
i Precyzyjnych w Warszawie /
Museum of Artistic and Precision
Crafts in Warsaw
Muzeum Sportu i Turystyki w Warszawie /
Museum of Sport and Tourism in Warsaw
Muzeum Józefa Piłsudskiego w Sulejówku /
Józef Piłsudski Museum in Sulejówek
Fundacji Kronenberga przy City Handlowy /
Kronenberg Foundation by Citi Handlowy
Zamek Królewski w Warszawie /
Royal Castle in Warsaw
Cech Fryzjerów i Rzemiosł Różnych /
Hairdressers and Other Crafts Guild
Bussines Centre Club

private collections:
Miecznik family
Mrs. Elżbieta Czarnecka, Mr. Grzegorz Czarnecki
Mr. Artur Sawa
Mr. Lech Brzozowski
Ms. Ewa Antoniewska-Borawska