Zsolnay Ceramic Factory Pécs, Hungary Vase About 1906 Porcelain with luster and other glazes Designed by Sándor Hidasy Pilló or Terez Mattyasovszky 12-3/4 inches high, 9-3/4 inches in diameter Gift of the Decorative Arts Council 94.36

It was a principle of Art Nouveau that all areas of life, from the UTILITARIAN to the artistic, had AESTHETIC value. The movement attempted to break down barriers existing between the fine arts and the so-called minor arts (decorative arts). In Hungary, Art Nouveau fulfilled a desire to shape national identity by imparting native character to all aspects of life, from architecture and painting to household furnishings.

Despite such aims, this highly decorative vase, like the Swedish Art Nouveau covered jar, was outside the financial reach of many. Wealthy people in Hungary and throughout Europe collected such art objects as status symbols to adorn the interiors of their houses. The splendid glazes Vilmos Zsolnay developed made these items much too valuable and expensive for everyday use.

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