Balázs Badár
Balázs Badár, born in the pottery center of Mezőtúr, Hungary, has been credited with initiating the production of fashionable urban ceramics in Hungary. Until his appearance as a master potter in 1879, Mezőtúr potteries were known for household articles such as jugs, crocks, and collanders. Badár (represented here via a sculptural bust in the collection of the Túr Museum of Pottery in Mezőtúr, Hungary) studied at the István Szappanos pottery company before opening his own workshop. Although his first works were traditional items decorated with folk motifs, he gradually introduced decorative vases in an organic style.
In 1890 Badár won the grand prize at an exhibition in Aradon for his traditional and art pottery. Four years later he exhibited in Antwerp, where he won a silver medal. Badár participated in the 1896 Millennium exhibition in Budapest, where he had the honor of selling a plate to Queen Elizabeth Amália Eugénia, and in 1897 in the Brussels exhibition, where he won the international silver medal.
The ceramist continued to exhibit and win honors into the 1930s. In 1932 a retrospective of his works was held in Stockholm and in 1935 he received the Signum Laudis award from the Hungarian prime minister Miklós Horthy. His work was continued after his death by his son, daughter, and grandchild.
Mezőtúr, formerly known as Túr, was the largest jug-making center of the Great Hungarian Plain from the end of the 18th century. The history of local pottery is presented by the Túr Museum of Pottery, the Badár Memorial room, and Fazekas Workshop (Badár Emlékszoba), Mezőtúr.