Lost Zsolnay masterpiece returns to Hungary after a century
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For a few days, the masterpiece can be viewed by anyone free of charge. The Zsolnay ceramic artwork depicting dancing female figures was crafted in Pécs and is believed to have been one of the key decorative pieces of the Hungarian pavilion rebuilt after the fire at the 1906 Milan World’s Fair.
A highly valuable artefact has been unveiled in Budapest—one whose very existence was in question for over a hundred years. The piece recently resurfaced at a French auction house after decades of obscurity. Two Hungarian Zsolnay collectors, András Szabó, founder of the ResoArt Foundation, and István Törő, co-owner of the Virág Judit Gallery, joined forces to bring the uniquely valuable ceramic back to Hungary. The stunning and exceptional 120-year-old artwork was revealed at the Kőrössy Villa in the capital.
Rare Zsolnay giant vase
In 2013, at an auction held by the Virág Judit Gallery, a vase that once adorned the Hungarian Pavilion at the 1906 Milan World’s Fair fetched a record-breaking sum of 19 million forints. At the time, there was no evidence of a twin piece. That changed in spring 2025, when a 109 cm tall, 46 cm diameter Zsolnay ceramic appeared at an auction in France. Featuring dancing female figures around a pomegranate tree, it symbolises idealised beauty and fertility. The work was created and signed by the legendary Sándor Apáti Abt.
“We recognised it straight away—we knew it was the lost or, more precisely, never-before-seen twin. I called István Törő and we agreed we had to bring this treasure back to Hungary. We are both collectors, passionately committed to Zsolnay and preserving cultural heritage,” said András Szabó, owner of Kőrössy Villa.
Possibly Owned by Royalty
The Hungarian Pavilion drew significant attention at the 1906 Milan World’s Fair, with the international press especially praising the applied arts section. However, tragedy struck on 3 August when, under still unclear circumstances, the pavilion burned down, destroying nearly everything inside. The Zsolnay ceramic depicting a pomegranate tree, known from several archive images, miraculously survived—albeit damaged.
“Twelve years ago, our gallery sold a ceramic showing evidence of the fire—minor damage marks. It was acquired by the Janus Pannonius Museum, where it’s been a star exhibit in Pécs ever since. Discovering the twin and acquiring it with András Szabó is a major art world sensation,” noted István Törő, co-owner of the Virág Judit Gallery.
