THIS IS STONEWARE POTTERY. IT IS VERY DURABLE. ALL OF MY POTTERY IS LEAD-FREE, MICROWAVE AND DISHWASHER SAFE.  THE SGRAFFITO IS STRONG BUT POWDER DISHWASHING DETERGENT MAY BE ABRASIVE TO THE CARVING. THE SGRAFFITO PIECES ARE CREATED BY CARVING THROUGH A COLORED SLIP (LIQUID CLAY) PAINTED ON THE SURFACE. EACH PIECE IS INDIVIDUALLY DRAWN AND WHILE SIMILAR TO OTHER PIECES, IS STILL UNIQUE IN IT'S DESIGN. THE INSIDE OF THE SGRAFFITO PIECES HAVE A CLEAR GLAZE MAKING IT WATER TIGHT. YOU'LL FEEL THE CARVING WITHOUT GLAZE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE POT.