Zsolnay Ceramics (Zsolnay-keramia)

Vilmos Zsolnay started to improve the Pécs earthenware manufacture from the mid 19th century. Assisted by his family members, within a short time he developed it into a ceramic factory highly reputed in all Europe. Due to their experimenting spirit they achieved great success at various expos, first with historic, oriental and folklore ornamentation and then with Art Nouveau creations.

Due to the innovations of Vilmos Zsolnay the Zsolnay china, together with the eosin glaze and pyrogranite, remains unique to this day.

First and foremost it is the glazing technique that distinguishes Zsolnay porcelain. The experiments of Vilmos Zsolnay resulted in a translucent, colourfully decorated porcelain covered with an ivory base glaze. When fired at a high temperature the decoration of the porcelain usually melts into the base glaze, but in the case of the Zsolnay products it remains relief-like. The bright, enamel glaze effect is achieved by mixing the colour pigments into the base glaze instead of using porcelain paint. The glaze is then applied by hand using pens rather than brushes. This technique differs from every other porcelain painting method.

Eosin glaze was developed by Vilmos Zsolnay in the 1890's with the co-operation of Lajos Petrik, director of the Industrial College, and Vince Wartha, professor at the Technical University. The name is derived from the Greek 'eos' (dawn), referring to the play of the light red tint of the first glaze. Eosin is a many-coloured, iridescent reduction glaze, the secret of which is still strictly kept. It is used in the decoration of ornamental items both large and small.

Pyrogranite is a collective name for the extremely hard, acid-resistant and ice-proof Zsolnay ceramics that are fired at a high temperature, hence the prefix 'pyro' in the name, which was developed in the beginning of the 1880's. Due to its attributes pyrogranite is an excellent material for internal and external building ornamentation and roof tiles. It is also used for making tile stoves and fireplaces.

Among the most attractive examples of usage of glazed pyrogranite are the Budapest Fine Art's Hall, the Parliament, the Matthias church, the Applied Arts Museum, the Post Savings Bank, the Kecskemét Town Hall, the Debrecen Golden Bull Hotel, and the Zsolnay memorial well in Pécs as well as Zsolnay's mausoleum.