Budapest’s Virág Judit Gallery and Auction House is rolling out a packed November 2025: exhibitions, live auctions, and a timed online sale, all centered on heavyweight Hungarian art and the world’s only dedicated Zsolnay auction. The gallery’s base is 1055 Budapest, Falk Miksa u. 30., where themed, exclusive shows spotlight 19th–21st-century Hungarian painting and sculpture, plus historic and Art Nouveau Zsolnay and Géza Gorka (Gorka Géza) ceramics. Bids are accepted in person, by phone, via written commission, and on the gallery’s own online platform.
Zsolnay Auction: One Night, Global Eyes
On November 17 at 18:00, the Zsolnay Auction returns for its fifth edition, hosted at the Budapest Music Center. Collectors on multiple continents will be watching, since Zsolnay works have become some of the most sought-after porcelains anywhere. This year’s lineup includes genuine trophy pieces—among them a special giant jardinière so rare that its existence wasn’t previously known. It remains the only dedicated Zsolnay auction in the world, drawing bids from Europe, the U.S., and Asia. The auction also holds the still-standing world record for Zsolnay: in both 2023 and 2024, a single porcelain reached 28,000,000 HUF, roughly 76,500 USD at recent rates. Demand for the 170-year-old brand’s creations is intense, and prices have been climbing steadily for years.
Pre-sale exhibition: November 4–16 at Virág Judit Gallery, free entry.
Preview: Postwar and Contemporary Highlights
From November 4–18, the gallery previews the 17th Auction of Postwar and Contemporary Works with free admission. Expect the biggest stars of the contemporary Hungarian scene: standout paintings by Ilona Keserü and global Hungarian icon Vera Molnar, plus key works by Imre Bak, János Fajó, and Ferenc Lantos. The ultra-contemporary generation steps up with artists like Máté Orr and Márton Nemes. Everything on the block is on view downtown before auction night.
Live Auction: Postwar and Contemporary
The 17th Auction of Postwar and Contemporary Works takes place November 19 at 18:00 at the Budapest Music Center. Virág Judit Gallery is the first and only in Hungary to run a dedicated contemporary auction for years, aiming to lift Hungarian contemporary art into Europe’s top tier and boost the prestige of leading domestic artists. That strategy is paying off: this year’s sale is firmly on the international radar. All lots remain free to view at the gallery November 4–18.
Extra Works Go Timed-Online
New pieces kept arriving after the catalog cut-off—plenty of Zsolnay ceramics and contemporary paintings that couldn’t be inserted into the printed books for the live sales. Those works get their own exhibition from November 4–21, daily 10:00–18:00 at Virág Judit Gallery, alongside the live-auction lots. There’s no printed catalog for this tranche, but everything is available on the gallery’s online platform. The same material forms the lineup of a timed online auction. Consider it a second chance for collectors who want in on fresh consignments without the live-auction pressure.
Timed Online Auction: How It Works
The timed online auction opens for advance bidding immediately and culminates on Sunday, November 23 at 18:00. Pre-bids can be placed on the online platform up to the start time. From 18:00, items close in catalog order, one per minute. If a lot receives a bid in the last 20 seconds, the closing time for that lot automatically extends by another 20 seconds. The next lot launches only after the previous one closes. It’s designed to be smooth, transparent, and competitive—perfect for snagging that overlooked Zsolnay glaze or a razor-fresh canvas by the new vanguard.
Location for exhibitions: Virág Judit Gallery, 1055 Budapest, Falk Miksa u. 30. Venues for live auctions: Budapest Music Center, Budapest.
