VISITING Daniel Asztalos, Master Potter and Ceramicist: My Pots are Made to Last
Daniel Asztalos makes functional ceramics and offers pottery workshops, and now his gallery — housed in a mill — welcomes visitors with drinks, while the park with a lake offers moments of escape
If - as the famous Latin phrase has it - the name truly is a sign, Daniel Asztalos would have been a carpenter, for his surname means just that in Hungarian. Had his father had his way, Daniel would have become a veterinarian, but it was Daniel’s sister who ultimately followed in their father’s footsteps. Daniel himself chose a different route and went to study forestry in Zagreb. Fate, however, had other plans, and soon the wheel of destiny, or in his case, the pottery wheel set his life in a new direction. After seeing one at a master potter’s in Hungary, he knew he was hooked.
Tourism as the Driving Factor
When I casually ask my friends what comes to mind with the phrase “potter’s wheel,” those who know Daniel answer without hesitation - “Daniel Asztalos,” - while others reply, “The movie Ghost.” Daniel’s story doesn’t involve tragic love, ghosts, or even Demi Moore, but it does feature someone precious to him — his wife Sandra, his invaluable partner in both business and life.
They welcome me at their family home in Beli Manastir, at Daniel’s ceramics studio. The house is on a street known locally as The Directors’ Row, a nickname from Yugoslav times when black Mercedes lined the street, picking up socialist directors and officials. The Asztalos family, however, has deep roots in the area, with Daniel’s grandfather living nearby and his high school just down the road. Perfect setup to run home from school for a quick lunch.

Although I’ve visited Daniel’s mill gallery many times, this autumn was my first time seeing his workshop in Beli Manastir. It is here that Daniel is fully in his element.
“From the very start, I knew I had to incorporate tourism into my work to survive. My Beli Manastir studio wasn’t ideal for that, so I jumped at the chance to buy an old mill in Suza. I envisioned it as both a gallery and a workshop where visitors could craft their own souvenirs, which we’ve rounded off beautifully with the addition of a tasting area. The mill is surrounded by a big park (over a hectare!) and lake where visitors can relax with a drink. The idea to have a tasting area there was perfect because tourists often ask if they can grab a drink. We only serve them outdoors and only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in good weather, which complements our core business since they drink from the pottery I make. Visitors frequently say, ‘Oh, that’s beautiful; I’d love to buy a cup like this!’”
Daniel also organizes workshops, allowing guests to try their hand at pottery. He fires their creations — yes, that’s the expression — and later sends them to his visitors. More and more people, he says, are rediscovering the beauty of natural materials and abandoning plastics, opting for pottery as a meaningful keepsake that brings back memories of their trip.
Still, Daniel’s best-known work is functional pottery. He calls himself a ceramicist but often laughs when people ask for tile-laying services, thinking he installs ceramic tiles in kitchens and bathrooms. Potter, ceramicist, craftsman — whatever you call him, he’s also an artist, creating beautiful functional kitchenware. Anyway, we enjoyed a cup of Turkish coffee from his cups, surrounded by pots at various stages of creation, along with a finished collection of coffee and tea cups. The studio is cozy and warm, thanks to the kiln that reaches 1000°C — the temperature required to fire his signature pots, lids, and tableware. Though he laughingly admits he would happily give a refund to anyone who bought his creations twenty years ago, Daniel is now confident that Asztalos pottery — if used properly — will last for generations. His most popular item is the bean pot, traditionally used for cooking over (or rather beside) an open fire. But Daniel’s pots are versatile enough to use for baking, stovetop cooking, and even on modern cooktops, making them ideal for preparing all kinds of dishes.

“People are more willing to invest these days. If they’re choosing quality food, they also want natural, high-quality cookware to prepare their food in (closed for cooking, open top for baking). And ceramics are the perfect match! I’m no chef, I just love to eat, but those who do cook swear by my pots. There’s beauty in cooking a meal in a lovely pot and serving it in a handmade bowl, don’t you think?”
Daniel’s army of international customers agrees. His products are in high demand, but he’s committed to quality over quantity, which limits production. And he doesn’t care about expanding. For as it is now, each of his unique ceramic pieces seems to carry with it the spirit of the penates - the ancient Roman household guardians and protectors of family food stores - or perhaps their Baranja counterparts.
From Mud to Craft
For his pottery, Daniel uses a special fireproof clay with unique properties, sourced from Germany. Once he molds a piece, it air-dries for several days before its first firing. Then he adds the glaze, which is essential on the inside and optional on the outside. His glaze is food-safe, also sourced from Germany. The pottery then undergoes a second firing. Each piece may resemble its “sisters,” but no two are identical. Daniel’s pottery is prized for its quality, originality, and personal craftsmanship. Most importantly, it bears the name of a man who, despite working with mud, has never sullied his good reputation.
Contact
Facebook: Asztalos Keramika
E-mail: asztalos.keramika@gmail.com
Phone: 385(0)98 9455 990
Written by Ivana Rab Guljaš