H. Kolba Judit szerk.: Historical Exhibition of the Hungarian National Museum Guide 2 - From the Foundation of the State until the Expulsion of the Ottomans - The history of Hungary in the 11th to 17th centuries (Budapest, 2005)

ROOM 5 - The Age of Matthias Hunyadi (second half of the 15th century)

38. Silver-gilt Renaissance twin goblets from the Opálos (Paulis) find, early 16th century two of them, the Jackdaw and the Elephant, by name, and there is even a drawing of the second extant. Next to the showcase one can see a mailed iron cap, shirt of mail and sword-blade once belonging to Pál Kinizsi, Matthias's famous general. Kinizsi was buried in the Pauline monastery of Nagyvázsony, founded by him; his tomb was happened upon in the 18th century by serfs seeking building stones among the debris. THE HANGINGS OF THE THRONE-ROOM On the next section of the wall the throne hangings of Matthias that have remained in the best condition are displayed. The tapestry woven with gold and silk threads, its patterns outlined in green velvet with the coat of arms of Matthias in the middle, is a masterpiece of Florentine textile art. On basis of its style, it must have been made in the 1470s, after a drawing by Antonio Pollaiuolo, Florentine painter, sculptor and designer. (Fig. 37). RELICS OF ARTISTIC CRAFTS In the middle of the room we have placed secular objects of goldsmith's art from the second half of the 15th century/beginning of the 16th century, together with some other outstanding items for personal use. The valuable objects accumulated were preserved in several hoards, buried in the ground in the first half of the 16th century because of Turkish raids. Of these we display the hoards from Radna (Radna) and Opálos (Paulis), in which richly decorated Gothic lobed beakers occur. The covered goblet from Radna, with its proportions and ribbed decoration, is a characteristic work of Early Renaissance silversmith's art. The twin goblets that can be placed one on another on their rims and the spoons with globular fmials or knops were fashionable ornamental vessels and tableware during the Renaissance period (Fig. 38). The Late Gothic choir-stall from Bártfa (Bardejov) is decorated with the coat of arms of Matthias and Beatrix (Fig. 39).