The Beginnings
Ignác Zsolnay
The Zsolnay factory was established in 1853 by Miklós Zsolnay in Pécs and was only the second industrial establishment in the city. His two sons Ignác and Vilmos each received their share of the Zsolnay inheritance: The factory went to Ignác while the commercial business on the main square of Pécs went to Vilmos.
Ignác had many interests and was known for his musical and cultural education - however, he lacked interest in economics and the operational management for the Zsolnay factory. In 1864 he sold the factory to his brother Vilmos. Ignác emigrated to Romania and spent the rest of his life in Bucharest.
The Era of Innovation
Vilmos Zsolnay
When Vilmos took over the Zsolnay factory, it was a humble manufacturer of ceramic stoves and pipes. He soon began expanding into decorative ceramics and tableware. His decades of dedication and commitment to innovation led to Zsolnay becoming a world-famous brand. Vilmos tried to raise the artistic level of the company's output by exhibiting in world exhibitions starting with the 1873 Vienna World's Fair.
Throughout his life, Vilmos Zsolnay developed new materials and glazes, such as Eosin, through countless experiments. Vilmos Zsolnay was a brilliant personality of the Hungarian ceramic industry and domestic applied arts and became a household name through his incredible work.
Master of Motifs
Júlia Zsolnay
Júlia was an artist through and through. Many of the most iconic Zsolnay patterns and motifs can be traced back to her work. She was fond of Japanese, Turkish and Persian decor. Júlia Zsolnay developed her painting skills and created some oil paintings that can be found in the Hungarian National Gallery. She was married to Tádé Sikorski, who was the chief designer of the factory. In 1878 she designed the emblem of the Zsolnay family, with schematic representation of five churches of the city of Pécs.
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Traditionalist
Teréz Zsolnay
Along with her younger sister Julia and Ármin Klein, Térez was the most important artist of that factory during its rapid development and worldwide success in the late 19th century. She was enamored with Hungarian folk motifs and implemented them in her work for the manufacture. Her husband, Jakab Mattyasovzky, was a geologist who sourced the best clay deposits needed to make fine ceramics.
International Success
Miklós Zsolnay
Miklós first worked alongside his father, then established himself as the factory's commercial manager at a young age. During Miklós's management, the Zsolnay entered new markets outside the borders of the Monarchy. From 1897 , he was given independent company management powers and focused his efforts on developing and modernizing the manufacture. Under Miklós' leadership artists at Zsolnay focused on creating breathtaking Art Nouveau (Hungarian Secessionist) pieces. Zsolnay architectural ceramics ruled the domestic market and further solidified the manufacture's prestige at home and abroad.
International Recognition
Zsolnay at the World Fairs
Zsolnay’s first major success came at the 1873 Vienna Universal Exposition when the family exhibited some of their first decorative works. The professional jury was enchanted by the product range produced in Pécs. The Zsolnay pieces were rewarded with a grand bronze medal and while the monarch rewarded him with the Ferencz Jozsef Order. A few years later, at the 1878 Paris Universal Exposition, pieces made by Zsolnay earn a gold medal and Vilmos Zsolnay is awarded the Cross of the French Legion of Honour.
