THIS IS DURALBLE STONEWARE POTTERY. ALL DISHES ARE LEAD-FREE, MICROWAVE AND DISHWASHER SAFE.  I  HAND DRAW FLOWERS, OR LEAVES ON EACH VESSEL THEN CARVE AWAY THE COLORED SLIP (CLAY), PAINTED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE POT. THAT'S SGRAFFITO! AND WHILE SIMILAR TO OTHER PIECES, IS STILL UNIQUE IN IT'S DESIGN.  A CLEAR GLAZE COATS THE INSIDE MAKING IT USEFUL FOR DINNERWARE. YOU'LL FEEL THE CARVING WITHOUT GLAZE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE POT. THE SGRAFFITO IS STRONG BUT POWDER DISHWASHING DETERGENT MAY BE ABRASIVE TO THE CARVING.