Platter

The family of Jerzy Diatłowski was transported from Lutsk to Kazakhstan in 1940 during the so-called second transport. The platter was one of the items that the Donor's grandfather took without much thought in the heat of packing the most important items before the deportation, for which they were given only two hours from the Soviet authorities. According to Jerzy Diatłowski, taking random, sometimes even absurd objects by the families of the exiles was completely natural due to the forced haste and the stress accompanying the deportation. The decorative platter is of considerable size (34.7 cm in diameter) and is not a necessity in a difficult situation. The subject accompanied the family not only during the deportation, but returned with the Diatłowicki family to Poland in 1946. In addition to the platter, the Diatłowice family took with them to Kazakhstan, and then back to Poland, also a diamond for cutting glass (which provided the family with support for their stay in Kazakhstan), a heavy mortar with a pestle and a bottle of J.A. Baczewski. The bottle that returned to Poland unopened was, however, stolen from the Donors' apartment shortly after their arrival in the country. The round dish was produced by Zakłady Porcelany Ćmielów (1790-) and most probably purchased in the porcelain shop Kazimierz Lewicki. Lviv (1843-1939). The platter is made of porcelain, decorated with a floral motif placed in three places (separated by equal spaces). The motif consists of a green branch with two blooming flowers with delicate pale pink petals and yellow centers. There is a bud at the end of each of the three twigs.

Marta Frączkiewicz