FISCHER – HUNGARIAN DECORATIVE POTTERY – CSODÁLATOS MAGYAR KERÁMIA
DATE of opening reception: Saturday, November 19, 2005
Ignac Fischer learned his craft at Herend and in 1867 founded his own pottery manufacture in Pest. Imagination has no bounds and Fischer produced a wealth of decorative art pottery that was extensively exported. Many of the pieces found their way to the United State. These wares were fanciful creations based on Hungarian decorative motifs but incorporated middle eastern and oriental designs as well. The pieces in these exhibition provide a wide range of examples of this wonderful decorative art form.
For more information, call 216 523-3900
The Cleveland Hungarian Heritage Museum was proud to present a representative sampling of works by the Fischers, late 19th century Hungarian porcelain and pottery artists, with representative works from their pottery and porcelain manufacturing operation.
WHO WERE IGNÁC and EMIL FISCHER?
Ignác Fischer acquired his knowledge of arts and crafts in Hungary at his father’s manufacture of ceramics in Tata-Tóváros. He then further refined and developed his knowledge of ceramics at the Herend factory, also in Hungary. [But note that Ignác is not among the immediate descendants of the 2nd owner of the original Herend factory, Móric Farkasházi Fischer.]
Ignác founded his own workshop at Pest in 1864. At first, he dealt only with painting the china products of other factories. However, he produced his own ceramics beginning in 1867. Similar to Zsolnay, Fischer also specialized in the production of ornamentally decorated ceramics. He was successful mainly with his Majolica ware, sold in Austria-Hungary and also sold for export. Fischer also produced pieces decorated with Chinese motifs sold at the Hungarian Exposition of 1885. He was successful in winning many major awards. Eventually his son Emil took over the operation. But by 1885, under the direction of Emil Fischer, the factory slowly began to lose its standing and eventually became the property of the Zsolnay Factory in Pécs in south west Hungary. Some have asserted that Zsolnay bought out the Fischers to put them out of business in favor of his own.
Source, partially adapted from: http://www.drawrm.com/pottery.htm
(Magyarul) Fischer Ignác:
http://vmek.oszk.hu/00000/00060/html/036/pc003689.html
(Magyarul) Fischer Emil:
http://www.magyarkeramia.hu/keramia/f_emil/page.html
There was no place else, not even in Hungary, where this many objects made by the Fischer Hungarian Porcelain Factory could have been seen in one place. These were all objects made at the end of the 19th century and so every one of the items was over 100 years old, as the factory went out of business about the turn of the century. Unlike the other well-known Hungarian porcelain factories of Herend and Zsolnay that are still in production today, there are no more made by Fischer – and, probably as a result, the Fischer pieces are just now becoming very collectible. They’re surfacing in auctions of estates and on the internet and some pieces, particularly the art nouveau style, are beginning to fetch hefty sums into the many thousands. There were very fine examples of the art nouveau style in the Museum’s exhibition – a piece that is a wonderfully elaborate and artistic nautilus shell bowl or centerpiece that is amazing – but, in addition to the art nouveau style, there were many other styles represented, in fact there were 43 exquisitely decorated objects and they ranged in size from a 5″ kulacs decorated in the then popular Chinese style, to a vase that was 3 feet tall, etched and enameled and outlined in gold with traditional Hungarian floral motifs.
I recently inherited a large Fischer reticulated pitcher. I would like the contact information for a qualified appraiser. I am located in Connecticut.
We just had our program featuring appraising treasures found in our homes…our speaker was Ms. Deba Gray of Gray’s Auctioneers and Appraisers. The company is located on Detroit Avenue in Cleveland. They have a nice website, perhaps they can help you.
Thank you. I’ll try to contact her. I phoned and emailed the head of European Porcelain at Sotheby’s, but she did not respond.
Did you find a reputable appraiser in CT?
Hi I was given 2 beautiful porcelain vases or oil lamps. I’m not quite sure what they are but I would like to learn about them. I a man looking for information about them online but I can’t find the one that I have. I would be very grateful if anyone can help me.
Kind regards,
Suzanne.
Sorry I forgot to mention the items that I have are stamped with Fischer J Budapest underneath them and also have a number so I know that they are genuine.
Kind regards,
Suzanne.
These may be very valuable pieces if they are marked Fischer…you should take them to a reputable auction house or appraiser and have them looked at.
Andrea
My parents gave us two rather large completely gorgeous vases that they had for years- 13 inches tall
I’ve been told they are very valuable but do not know who to show/ask.
Mark on bottom: PATENT FISCHER.BUDAPEST
I think the “.” is a “.” after FISCHER
Very hard to confirm if 3 indented non painted “marks” are numbers. looks like 000 or 999
Can I send a picture?
I’m in Los Angeles
Thanks very much.
Hallo,
I have just unearthed a broken Vase that my mother brought with her from the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. The lower roundish form with three legs is still in tact but the top, consisting of wonderful lily like shapes and forms are broken off. The lower form still looks very decorative and can be used without the upper bits. I put it in my window with other likeble things. On the bottom it says in light blueish colour FISCHER J. and underneath BUDAPEST. There is also a 4 digit number starting with 15…The Basic colour of the Vase is beige but is perforated all over. Coklours: Pink, greenish, Gold. Gold circles round the neck with knobs in turquoise. Underneath white circles with red dots. Lower down the vase there are 6 Medaillons with Bouquets on them,
I know broken antiques are worthless but I will still use the lower part of the vase as a deco. It is by chance that I found this Website and only because I wondered who FISCHER BUDAPEST was. I only discovered the Name now.
I have read all the interesting Information on this Website and am thrilled to see similarly looking items on it. In 2009 I visited Zsolnay’s in Pecs and loved it. I am a Hungarian teacher and it made it easier, too.
Thank you and regards,
Alice
Hello, my name is Paula and I have this Fisher Pottery, sign with number 1155.
I want to sell it.
I would like to have a price for it.
if you can help me, I will send you the photos.
Thanks!
Hi, I have got six cups and saucer stamped Fischer Emil Budapest with the most beautiful floral motive from my grandmother. She was married to a hungarian so it might be bought there. I do not want to sell these but where can I get an estimate of the value? I am located in Sweden.
Hello, I volunteer at cats rescue resale shop. We have vase which looks like Fisher Hungarian but it has stamp of 2 blue houses, one with round roof and one with triangle roof. I can not find any information on that hallmark.
I have just seen a superb example of his work on an English TV program
Channel 4 – The Repair Shop Today 1st March 2023
I have taken some photos should anyone be interested
It has a bulbous base – all perforated
With a carafe style neck with a moulded spout and a swan-like neck handle – again very decorative and you would not hold it.
Superb quality – I would not like to put a price on it – several thousands at a guess.
I have this Emil Fischer Piece. I am in South Florida. Can you provide me with a reputable appraiser in this area?
Dobrý večer. U nás sa nachádza tiež výrobok FISCHER.J. a to pekne zdobené taniere 6 kusov značené na spodku. Je to dedičstvo po mojej babke na Slovensku. Taniere sú na predaj.