Budapest’s Virág Judit Gallery throws open its doors to the 5th Zsolnay Auction exhibition, and the lineup is irresistible for anyone who loves art, design, or the magic of glaze that looks like it bottled moonlight. Explore the Zsolnay factory’s unmatched heritage through expert-led, free gallery tours—no registration, no fuss—just turn up and let the ceramics do the talking. The show traces a sweeping arc from the classic eosin technique to the flowing, nature-drunk shapes of Art Nouveau, and straight into the sleek confidence of Art Deco. Expect icons and rarities from one of Hungary’s most storied manufactories, all under one roof at 1055 Budapest, 30 Falk Miksa Street (Falk Miksa u. 30).
The exhibition spotlights the eozinmáz—eosin glaze—that made Zsolnay a phenomenon. Its iridescent surface shifts with the light, turning mythic animals, vases, and architectural ornaments into living things. Here, the brilliance isn’t just in the finish; it’s in the history. From the factory’s early innovations to the flourish of Secessionist forms and the streamlined silhouettes of the interwar years, each piece marks a chapter in how Central Europe invented modern style.
Where and when
Two guided tours anchor the program this November. On Wednesday, November 12 at 5 p.m., Csaba Papp leads a deep dive through the collection, unraveling technique, form, and cultural context with the kind of detail that makes you stare longer and keep asking questions. Then on Saturday, November 15 at 11 a.m., István Törő steps in for a weekend edition, perfect for a leisurely art morning. Both are in Budapest at the Virág Judit Gallery, and both are completely free of charge. Just walk in—no need to register.
What to look for
The show is stacked with emblematic works that trace the Zsolnay factory’s evolution. Expect classic eosin pieces with luminous green-gold skins, peacock-feather iridescence, and deep ruby tones. The Secessionist era comes through in organic lines, floral reliefs, and stylized creatures that feel plucked from Art Nouveau posters and transmuted into clay. Then the Art Deco period cuts in with geometry, restraint, and a chic polish that still reads contemporary. The exhibition doesn’t just chart aesthetic trends; it highlights rarity—those one-off forms, trial glazes, and limited runs collectors whisper about.
Zsolnay’s genius was always technical as much as artistic. Eosin glaze demanded precise chemistry and firing to produce that otherworldly sheen. The guided tours unpack how these effects were achieved, why certain hues proliferated in certain decades, and how international tastes—from Vienna to Paris—shaped what came out of the kilns in Pécs. The factory’s collaborations with architects and designers ripple through the display, drawing lines from mantelpieces to façades, from tabletop objects to urban identity.
Why it matters now
Hungarian decorative arts are having a moment, and Zsolnay sits squarely at the center of the story. These aren’t just beautiful objects; they’re a playbook for how design responds to technology, to markets, to the hunger for newness. In the Secessionist period, Zsolnay helped translate the era’s natural motifs into a distinctly Hungarian idiom. In the Art Deco shift, the factory showed how elegance could be edited down without losing its soul. Seeing these works together—icons alongside rarities—makes the arc feel inevitable and still shockingly fresh.
Make a day of it
The gallery is in the heart of Budapest, an easy launchpad for a culture-rich afternoon or weekend. Falk Miksa Street is known for its antique shops and galleries, and the Parliament and Danube are a stroll away. The exhibition includes three images that tease the surfaces and forms you’ll encounter, but the payoff is in person: nothing replicates how eosin glaze catches real light as you move around it.
The best part? Accessibility. The guided tours are free, with no sign-up needed. If you’ve ever wanted to understand why collectors obsess over Zsolnay—and why designers keep referencing it—this is the low-friction way in. Whether you’re seasoned in decorative arts or new to the game, you’ll leave with a sharper eye and a few favorite pieces lodged permanently in your memory.
Quick details
– Venue: Virág Judit Gallery (Virág Judit Galéria), 1055 Budapest, 30 Falk Miksa Street (Falk Miksa u. 30)
– Exhibition: 5th Zsolnay Auction showcase—iconic works and rarities from the factory’s history, spanning classic eosin, Secessionist forms, and Art Deco elegance
– Guided tours: Free, no registration required
– Dates and times: Wednesday, November 12 at 5 p.m. with Csaba Papp; Saturday, November 15 at 11 a.m. with István Törő
Go for the shimmer. Stay for the story. And if you fall for a piece—well, it is auction season, after all.
