11. July 2005.

Tony Curtis, the world-famous Hungarian-born American actor, received a special gift on his 80th birthday from Hungary's Minister of Economy János Kóka on 25th June in Las Vegas.

The party, held at the MGM Hotel, Las Vegas, was attended by Minister of Economy János Kóka and András Simonyi, Hungary's ambassador in Washington, D.C.

The 28-cm-tall, Baroque-style, so-called harmonica vase has been manufactured at Herend since the 1840s. This ornamental piece took master painter István Lázár several weeks to complete. In order to obtain the best likeness of the famous face, the piece of porcelain had to be fired three times at 800 degrees, as the colours change shades with every firing. This is a unique vase which will not be available in the shops. Works of this nature have an estimated value of a million forints.

Curtis, perhaps best known for his role in Some Like It Hot, two years ago shot publicity spots in Hungary to promote our country on television in the United States.