Koniaków lace is a technique of handmade crocheting of tray cloth with a special type of thread – cotton filet. This particular type of lace is unique and it has been made for more than 100 years only in Koniaków, Jaworzynka, Istebna – in the villages of the Silesian Beskids Region. It has been famous all over the world and lately, it has been put on the national list of intangible cultural heritage.

Koniaków handicraft is distinguished by numerous floral motifs and their composition. This beautiful lace requires cotton filet, crochet hook, scissors, good lightning but most of all creative lace maker. They create their patterns while making them and each element is made separately but later they are all combined together. There is no ready-made pattern or stencil to duplicate, quite the opposite – the never-ending field of creativity opens wide.

Maria Gwarek was one of the most brilliant lace makers. The Lace Museum – Maria Gwarek Memorial Hall was opened in 1962, which was run by Zuzanna Gwarek and now it is run by Urszula Rybka who is a granddaughter of the artist. The exhibition presents numerous, interesting exhibits such as cauls, tray cloths of different sizes, each of which has a unique pattern and shape, shawl edgings, collars, accessories to bed linen, etc. There are the oldest elaborate patterns here as well as contemporary products. The most precious exhibit is unfinished trey cloth (1962), which was being made for Queen Elizabeth II. It is made of surgical silk which is very thin and difficult to work with. Unfortunately, Maria Gwarek wasn’t able to finish it.

Muzeum Koronki – Izba pamięci Marii Gwarek
43-474 Koniaków 550
tel. (+48) 33 855 64 23