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News & Events Mid-America News Show Calendar State Event Calendars Regular Features The Antique Detective Antique Detective Q&A Common Sense Antiques Refurnished Thoughts Traveling with Ken Good Eye Books for Collectors Directories & Classifieds The Finder: Unique Shops Lodgings Directory Museum Directory Aviation Museums Wineries in the Heartland Classifieds Web Links Archived Features Antiquing in Colorado Dealer Profile Archive Editor's Notebook Heirloom Recipes Helpful Hints for Collectors Is This An Antique? Past Cover Features Reflecting History 2005 Best Of Winners *Destinations 2006*	Discover Mid-America — February 2006 Zsolnay from Hungary This lovely foreign looking word is foreign, indeed. It is Hungarian. About twenty years ago, in giving a talk on various antiques, I held up a piece of contemporary Zsolnay pronouncing it “ZOLNAY” — the way it looked to me. A fine Hungarian immigrant, who had lived in the United States for many years, waved her hand and quickly corrected me, pronouncing it “CHOLNAY.” So much for the linguistics lesson. The pieces I was using in my talk were gorgeous. The shapes were smooth and modern, stylized. This was an attractive feature. But the most striking thing is that these pieces were glazed in a lustrous iridescent green that would take your breath away. Of those two pieces that we had in our inventory, I have only seen one other iridescent piece since then. But this Hungarian lady told the group that I was addressing that in Pecs, the location of Zsolnay manufacturing, many of the city’s building are decorated with Zsolnay artwork. Not only roof tiles, but also decorative flat tiles are a large part of the output of the factory as well, and can be seen on building interiors and exteriors. Zsolnay was begun in 1855 by a ceramicist that loved the flow of Art Nouveau. Consequently, many of the early pieces are heavily influenced by that style. Collectors either want the Nouveau or Art Deco as both styles are favored. The colors are vibrant, the artwork is beautifully done, and the finished item is always perfect. I am wondering if there are many collectors of these ceramics. The customers we have had for Zsolnay have been of Hungarian background, so I wonder if there are others that just admire this lovely work. The marks used on the older pieces have the five church towers. These marks vary, some have a circle around the towers, but basically, once one learns to recognize them, it is easy to identify this earthenware. The newer pieces have in block letters the words Zsolnay and Pecs. Our customers of Hungarian descent are quite particular in their choices. As any collector, once knowledge is enriched, the more discerning the collection becomes. Early in any collecting binge, anything with the mark is bought. As one’s eyes and heart get into the subject, the hunt becomes much more sophisticated and finer pieces come into collections. Though Zsolnay produced utilitarian works, the artists hired by this large company were always at work with artistic wares that captured the attention of many Europeans. The expositions held had displays of the finest works of European companies. Zsolnay was usually one of the top award winners. Today, these works command high dollar at auction or show. Years ago a young lady was wild about Nippon. She would buy anything with the Nippon mark. That is, until she got stung with one of the many reproductions that were flowing rapidly into the American market from the Orient. Very soon, she began to dispose of her early pieces and began to concentrate on really fine vases and an occasional table piece or coffee set. This happens to all discerning collectors. Once the newness wears off, and one sees what good quality looks like, the early cheapy things usually lose their charm. Zsolnay is not frequently seen in the Midwest. But it is a standout when seen at a show, collection or possibly at an estate sale. Even if you are not Hungarian, or even a collector of lovely works of art, be on the lookout for Zsolnay. If you recognize it quickly, you have a discriminating eye for the good stuff. Norma Crews is a native Texan, graduate of Texas Tech, former teacher and rancher, mother of three grown sons and six grandchildren, and raised in South Texas on a ranch as a member of two pioneer families. Upon retiring from teaching and ranching, she and her husband James became pickers for large Texas shops, before branching into doing shows for a number of years in Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. She currently resides in Neosho, MO. > Is This An Antique? Archive — past columns	{rightside ad cell}
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Discover Mid-America — February 2006

Zsolnay from Hungary

This lovely foreign looking word is foreign, indeed. It is Hungarian.

About twenty years ago, in giving a talk on various antiques, I held up a piece of contemporary Zsolnay pronouncing it “ZOLNAY” — the way it looked to me. A fine Hungarian immigrant, who had lived in the United States for many years, waved her hand and quickly corrected me, pronouncing it “CHOLNAY.” So much for the linguistics lesson.

The pieces I was using in my talk were gorgeous. The shapes were smooth and modern, stylized. This was an attractive feature. But the most striking thing is that these pieces were glazed in a lustrous iridescent green that would take your breath away. Of those two pieces that we had in our inventory, I have only seen one other iridescent piece since then.

But this Hungarian lady told the group that I was addressing that in Pecs, the location of Zsolnay manufacturing, many of the city’s building are decorated with Zsolnay artwork. Not only roof tiles, but also decorative flat tiles are a large part of the output of the factory as well, and can be seen on building interiors and exteriors.

Zsolnay was begun in 1855 by a ceramicist that loved the flow of Art Nouveau. Consequently, many of the early pieces are heavily influenced by that style. Collectors either want the Nouveau or Art Deco as both styles are favored. The colors are vibrant, the artwork is beautifully done, and the finished item is always perfect.

I am wondering if there are many collectors of these ceramics. The customers we have had for Zsolnay have been of Hungarian background, so I wonder if there are others that just admire this lovely work.

The marks used on the older pieces have the five church towers. These marks vary, some have a circle around the towers, but basically, once one learns to recognize them, it is easy to identify this earthenware. The newer pieces have in block letters the words Zsolnay and Pecs.

Our customers of Hungarian descent are quite particular in their choices. As any collector, once knowledge is enriched, the more discerning the collection becomes. Early in any collecting binge, anything with the mark is bought. As one’s eyes and heart get into the subject, the hunt becomes much more sophisticated and finer pieces come into collections.

Though Zsolnay produced utilitarian works, the artists hired by this large company were always at work with artistic wares that captured the attention of many Europeans. The expositions held had displays of the finest works of European companies. Zsolnay was usually one of the top award winners. Today, these works command high dollar at auction or show.

Years ago a young lady was wild about Nippon. She would buy anything with the Nippon mark. That is, until she got stung with one of the many reproductions that were flowing rapidly into the American market from the Orient. Very soon, she began to dispose of her early pieces and began to concentrate on really fine vases and an occasional table piece or coffee set. This happens to all discerning collectors. Once the newness wears off, and one sees what good quality looks like, the early cheapy things usually lose their charm.

Zsolnay is not frequently seen in the Midwest. But it is a standout when seen at a show, collection or possibly at an estate sale. Even if you are not Hungarian, or even a collector of lovely works of art, be on the lookout for Zsolnay. If you recognize it quickly, you have a discriminating eye for the good stuff.

Norma Crews is a native Texan, graduate of Texas Tech, former teacher and rancher, mother of three grown sons and six grandchildren, and raised in South Texas on a ranch as a member of two pioneer families.

Upon retiring from teaching and ranching, she and her husband James became pickers for large Texas shops, before branching into doing shows for a number of years in Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. She currently resides in Neosho, MO.

> Is This An Antique? Archive — past columns

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