Zsolnay porcelain buy up

The history of the Zsolnay porcelain factory – a world-famous Hungarian success story

The name Zsolnay porcelain represents one of the highest standards of artistic ceramics not only in Hungary but worldwide. The history of the Zsolnay factory dates back more than 170 years, and today it continues to live on as one of the most significant legacies of Hungarian industrial art.

The beginnings – Pécs, 1853

The factory was founded by Miklós Zsolnay in Pécs in 1853, originally as a stoneware factory. However, the real boom came thanks to his son, Vilmos Zsolnay, who took over the management in 1865. It was he who recognized the artistic and commercial potential of hand-painted porcelain and ceramic products.

World exhibitions and international recognition

Zsolnay porcelain gained worldwide fame at the 1873 World’s Fair in Vienna, and was awarded a gold medal at the 1878 World’s Fair in Paris. The factory’s products quickly found their way into the capitals of Europe, becoming popular decorations in imperial courts and bourgeois salons.

The secret of eosin

One of the most famous and unique inventions of the Zsolnay porcelain factory was eosin glaze, developed by Vilmos Zsolnay and his laboratory in the 1890s. Eosin gives ceramics a special metallic, iridescent sheen and makes each piece unique, which is why Zsolnay eosin porcelain is still highly sought after by collectors today.

The Zsolnay Factory in the 20th Century – Where Art and Industry Meet

Throughout the 20th century, the Zsolnay porcelain factory not only survived, but remained at the forefront of Hungarian industrial art in terms of artistic value and formal renewal. The factory worked with numerous renowned designers, ceramists, and industrial artists, who gave new directions to the development of Zsolnay ceramics with their unique styles.

Outstanding designers and artists:

• Mattyasovszky-Zsolnay Margit (1881–1959) – The granddaughter of factory founder Vilmos Zsolnay, who played an important role in the revival of the early 20th century as a sculptor and ceramist. Her works include reliefs, figurative compositions, and industrial art objects.

• Apáti Abt Sándor (1870–1916) –A defining figure of Art Nouveau, his female figures, plant motifs, and eosin decorative objects remain iconic to this day.

• Mack Lajos (1876–1963) – He was primarily a designer of architectural ceramics and large-scale compositions, working closely with Ödön Lechner.

• Sikorski József (1887–1959) – Classic designs, decorative motifs, and finely crafted eosin objects are associated with his name.

• Török János (1932–1996) – One of the most versatile Zsolnay artists of the mid-20th century. His sculptural compositions, folk-inspired figures, and stylized animal forms are significant parts of Zsolnay’s portfolio from that period. He represented a unique style by combining traditional and modern elements, often working in eosin glaze.

• Gádor Antal (1891–1980) – One of the most influential figures in Hungarian ceramic art. Although he worked as an independent artist, many of his designs were produced by the Zsolnay factory. His expressive, often rustic forms and glazing techniques opened up new directions in experimental ceramic art.

• Nádor Judit (1933–) – One of the leading female designers of the modern Zsolnay era. Her works are characterized by clean lines, yet possess deep cultural and symbolic meaning. She is known for her numerous eozin decorative objects and vases, as well as her figurative compositions.

• Kovács Ferenc – The factory represented the modernist spirit of the 1960s and 1970s with its geometric patterns and experimental colours.

• Németh János, Rákos Miklós, Szász Endre – These names have created works that are on the borderline of fine art and applied art, in many cases in signed, limited series.

• Dévényi Sándor (1928–) – Architect and ceramist who designed several Zsolnay building ceramics and decorative elements. His works combine organic forms and modernism.
• Sinkó István – Representative of more contemporary Zsolnay works, creator of figurative and abstract ceramics, who also worked in collaboration with the factory.