Johanna and Bernhard Josef Koziol

Bernhard Josef Koziol, father of the homonymous founder of the company, was born 1876 in St. Annaberg. Family Koziol lived in Silesia.

Shortly after his birth his parents died. Thus, he was very young when he was brought to an orphanage in Breslau and after having attended his elementary school he came to the ceramic industry.

He was very willing and hard-working and therefore, he got a place at the ceramic technical school in Töplitz-Schönau in the Sudetenland.

In 1908, when he was 30 years old, he became the factory manager in an earthenware factory. At that time his life changed in a positive way.

Everything was in best order. On payday he brought his earnings home and put it wordlessly on the ledge of his commode.

On May 30th his son was born. He was given the name Bernhard like his father. Now and then father Bernhard changed his job and thus, he travelled a lot around the world. His dearest wish was to start up his own business sometime.

In 1912, he heard that there was a closed pottery in Erbach in Odenwald forest to be leased.

Immediately he snatched at the offer, quit his job in St. Pölten nearby Vienna in Austria and moved with his family to the Odenwald forest: Father Bernhard, his wife Johanna, Bernhard junior and his little sister Lucie who was born in 1911.

However, shortly after his move he recognized that his decision was forejudged. The pottery’s kiln which he took over was unsuitable for high quality ceramics which were to be produced.

Delays occurred. Current assets and savings of several years were spent quickly. Finally, when a new kiln was put into operation, the First World War began.

Father Bernhard became a soldier in the first days of mobilization. When he finally came home 5 years later his health was weakened. Nevertheless, he started from the beginning.

Meanwhile, Bernhard junior turned 11 years old. They are standing together in the pottery – little Bernhard is helping as well as he can. Together they try to master difficulties and carry the daily burdens.

New deprivations. New setbacks.

The doctor made a diagnosis – TB. A mild spring wind gently stroke over the cemetery.

It was on March 28th 1928 when father Bernhard was released from his ailment which did not know any mercy – from a hard and disappointing life.

History of place of pilgrimage St. Annaberg: In the 15th century a small wooden church was built on the mountain top (406 m over sea level), the forerunner of today’s basilica. In 1504, the Saxon ruler Georg brought the figure of Saint Anna which was 66 cm high from France to Silesia. Originally, it was said that there was a piece of bone of the Saint. Then, the mountain became the destination of innumerable pilgrimages.

On the mountain, among the pilgrimage church there is also a convent and further chapels. The place was documentarily mentioned for the first time in 1679 and was built round the convent.

Today, approx. 500 inhabitants live in St. Annaberg. People live on masonry as well as on agriculture and as pilgrims.

Even today, there is crockery of Bernhard Josef Koziol in family property. These were kept carefully by Bernhard junior.

At that time, Bernhard Josef Koziol dealt intensely with surface finishing (the glazing) of crockery.

With fresh fir and spruce cones he achieved special effects. This can be seen on above pictures.