Asztalos – the keeper of an old trade and old traditions
In Daniel’s skilful hands, a ceramic pot is created in a couple of minutes, making the entire process appear fairly simple. Nevertheless, that is not exactly the case...
In the neighbourhood of “Suza Baranje” camping site in Suza, one comes across Asztalos pottery shop.
Its owner and manager Daniel Asztalos, a big pottery, tradition and Baranja enthusiast, gladly shares his experience in tourism.
“This building is located in an interesting tourist area. While buying the mill, I had no idea there was a fish pond here as well. The place was such a mess that I could not even see what I was buying. I received a 100,000 kuna grant from the Ministry of Tourism for the renewal project, owing to which the place now looks as it does”, Daniel explains in the shade of a young linden tree, revealing that many visitor groups come to the shop, even from the US. In addition to buying the pottery, the visitors can have a try at making it.
Maja Celing Cerić
Daniel Asztalos often organises workshops, demonstrating how a completely ordinary bowl, one might say, is made. When he spun a lump of clay on the pottery wheel, everything seemed so simple, as if anyone could do it. But, as he explained, the process is very complex, starting from the extraction of clay, its storing, shaping, decorating and firing. He learned his trade from Hungarian masters.
For two decades, the Asztalos family has been making ceramic dishes that are used in the preparation of traditional local specialities, such as bean pots and “sekeli” (sauerkraut and pork) stew pots, but also milk jars, cups, souvenirs and jewellery. The pottery is made by hand, using the pottery wheel, and its high-quality glazing guarantees that it can be safely used for everyday purposes, and washed in the dishwasher.
Maja Celing Cerić
Maja Celing Cerić
