Vilmos Zsolnay Art Nouveau Earthenware Pitcher Approx. 1900

Vilmos Zsolnay, Pécs – Small Handled Pitcher, Experimental Glaze, Model 6891, circa 1905–1910Vilmos Zsolnay Manufactory, Pécs / Fünfkirchen, Hungary · Experimental Glaze · Trial Piece · H. 8.8 cm

A small handled pitcher in faience-porcelain (porcelain-faience: refined stoneware compound with feldspar glaze fired at high temperature), model 6891, executed by the Vilmos Zsolnay manufactory in Pécs / Fünfkirchen, Hungary, circa 1905–1910. Bulbous form with flared rim, compact arched handle. Height 8.8 cm · width 8 cm. Handwritten notes in blue under-glaze on the base: model number 6891 · glaze recipe notations (firing temperature, mixture).

This pitcher is a trial piece — a Versuchsstück in the strict sense: the handwritten annotations on the base confirm that the master glazer recorded the parameters of the tested glaze formula directly on the piece. The glaze itself is of absolute singularity: a cream-pale green on the rim and interior, evolving to a slate blue-grey with milky white streaks on the lower body, with brown-orange runs on the shoulders — a chromatic combination entirely different from classic Eosin or Labrador glazes. No other piece with this specific glaze has been identified in accessible sources.

The Zsolnay manufactory systematically explored new glaze formulas during the Art Nouveau period — The Magazine Antiques notes that the manufactory had developed the most comprehensive system of lustre glazes of its era, with approximately 2,600 new patterns and decorations created during the Art Nouveau period alone. Trial pieces of this type — directly documenting the creative process of the master glazers — are extremely rare on the market.

We are actively seeking comparable Zsolnay pieces — Versuchsstücke, experimental glaze pieces, and objects with handwritten glaze recipe notations. If you have pieces you wish to sell, we would be delighted to receive your offer.

• Height: 8.8 cm · Width: 8 cm
• Marks: model 6891 · handwritten glaze recipe notations (blue under-glaze)
• Glaze: experimental / trial — cream-green / slate blue-grey / brown-orange · probably unique
• Production: Vilmos Zsolnay Manufactory, Pécs / Fünfkirchen, Hungary, circa 1905–1910
• Literature: Csenkey, Zsolnay szecessziós kerámiák, Budapest 1992 · Santi / Gacher, Zsolnay Ceramics, Atglen PA, 1998 · Csiba / Stattner, Zsolnay. Masterpieces of Hungarian Art Nouveau, 2003
• Condition: very good · trial piece

Seen in museums — available to you.

Available for viewing by appointment at our Düsseldorf gallery.

Keywords integrated: Zsolnay Pécs, pitcher experimental glaze, model 6891, Versuchsstück, faience-porcelain, Hungarian Art Nouveau, unique glaze, ceramic trial piece