Somogyi Múzeumok Közleményei 15. (2002)

Knézy Judit: Szemeskályhák Somogyban

186 Tile Stoves with Cup-shaped Tiles in Somogy County JUDIT KNÉZY The divided type of stoves generally comprising three main parts was used in south German territories as early as the I3

th-14

th centuries. Cup-shaped tiles were built into its wall. Later this stove-type also became widespread in the Carpathian basin, at first in the royal court and in aristocratic homes. In the 15

th

—

16

th centuries it also appeared in the houses of well-to-do peasants in Transdanubia and the Great Hungarian plains. The stove was installed in the room, and heated from the kitchen thereby preventing smoke from getting into the living-room. This stove-type, having developed in the period of Gothic art, became a little simpler in appearance during the early Renaissance. In the period of Ottoman occupation of Hungary (1526-1686), it disappeared from the Great Hungarian Plain, but survived in the villages of Transdanubia until as late as the 20

th century. In Somogy county several varieties of this stove, called „szemeskályha" (= stove with eyes) have survived. In the 18

th century peasants used stoves with unglazed tiles the base of which was built of bricks and whitewashed. In the 19

th century stoves of peasant houses were built of green or brown glazed tiles which were made on potter's wheel, their outer rims afterwards being shaped square. Many tile stove builders worked in Somogy county, nevertheless, peasants also ordered stoves from neighbouring counties.