Sikota Győző: Herendi porcelán (Budapest, 1970)
Idegen nyelvű összefoglalók
world exhibitions was as glamorous and successful as in olden times. Its traditional products, its ingenious Hungarian figurines, executed with great virtuosity, achieved great success. Sets with the "Victoria". "Siang Noir" and "Miramare" motifs, as well as Hungarian fancy articles were continued to be produced. In 1935 the Herend exhibits were awarded a Gold medal in Brussels, and a Grand Prix in Paris, 1937. The contemporary press praised particularly the Hungarian figures, the novel dolphin series and the traditional table services. In Hungary, outstanding foreign personalities regularly visited Herend—like in "good old" times. The high lex el was maintained even during the short but hard period of the Second World War. when traditional and pure stylistic elements continued to be combined with the seeking of the new. In the year 1948 the factory has been nationalized. Its present artistic objective: to maintain the forms and decorations adopted from the golden age of Europe and the Far East, as well as the Hungarian motifs developed during history, and to offer something new by starting from classic traditions. The designers of the factory keep in mind the artistic mission of Herend and transform the classically shaped X essels in compliance with the requirements of our age and try to revive the historical styles. The new sets are decorated with motifs which are organically attached to the form and deeply rooted in old Hungarian folk motifs—noxv in a more ornamental form and noxv in a simplified adapted way. Among all the nexv products the socalled "Hunter" set deserves to be mentioned; decorated with motifs of Hungarian game and forest produces it has an individual tone and occupies a well deserved place among the traditional sets. While tradition sets limits to manual painting and the re-creation of forms, plastic art has a comparativ ely free scope of development, although its emotional contents are always reflecting the life of the Hungarian people. Due to its respect for its artistic traditions and to the high standard of manual painting. Herend is widely appreciated even beyond the frontiers of the country. The specific enchantment of its art adds the names of new countries to the old list of its clients (Australia. Bahama Isles, Soviet Union, etc.). The factory was unable to meet the steadily increasing demands but by enlarging the capacity of its kilns and by modernizing the different units of production; in the fifties there were investments realized at an unprecedented scale. The technology of Herend porcelain manufacturing has not changed essentially. Shaping and painting continue to be done by hand. It is precisely the careful, individual work which places its products above those of other factories. Kneading and purification are, however, mechanized. The glazes are fired in electric kilns, instead of the old wood-heated types. The raw material and the finished products are constantly tested in the well equipped laboratory and improved by means of permanent research w ork. The present artists of the factory: Tibor Bruck, Jenő Hanzely, Éva Szittya Horváth. László Horváth, Irén Cs. Illés, János Tóth are going their individual ways in quest of the new. but are united by their passionate love for their profession and by the honour of traditions. By means of competitions and orders the factory procures also the works of artists outside its staff. Like in the past it produces the compositions not only of its own artists buts also those of others. Ágoston Brand, Barna Búza, Sándor Boldogfai Farkas, Imre Huszár, Zoltán Olcsai Kiss Kossuth-prize winner, Zsigmong Kisfaludi Strobl Kossuth-prize winner contribute to Herend's reputation with their works worthy of the factory's long traditions. Due to its rich past and to the conservation of its high artistic values Herend belongs to those few European porcelain factories like Meissen and Sèvres w hich are unique on account of their lasting forms and hand-painted decorations. Every w orker of the factory is fully aware of the fact that international appreciation and reputation oblige. 125
