History of wicker baskets in Poland

The tradition of the people of the region engaged in wicker basket weaving goes back about 200 years ago. In 1872, Ferdinand von Hompesch, who owned substantial lands in the region, sent several local men to Vienna so they could learn the art of wicker weaving. The men came back, and started to teach others how to use the abundant natural willow growing in the area. In 1878, Ferdinand von Hompesch established a School of Wickery, further establishing the region as a producer of wicker goods.

Who was Ferdinand van Hompesch?

Ferdinand von Hompesch was a figure associated with the administration of Galicia during its time under Habsburg rule. Galicia, a region that is now part of modern Poland and Ukraine, became part of the Austrian Empire after the partitions of Poland in the late 18th century.

Ferdinand von Hompesch is most notable for his role as an administrator and official in the region. He served as the governor of Galicia during the early 19th century, specifically from 1801 to 1817. His tenure coincided with significant changes in the governance of the Austrian Empire, including reforms initiated by Emperor Joseph II and his successors.

Hompesch focused on administrative centralization, legal reforms, and efforts to modernize the region. However, his policies sometimes faced resistance due to the cultural and social differences between the local population and the imperial authorities.