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 8 (PASSAGE) - The Expulsion of the Ottomans (1683-1699) Aristocratic and Town Relics from the 17th century (Judit H. Kolba)

71. Wedding chest with the representation of an engaged couple, Upper Hungary, mid17 century laces of enamel decoration, scent boxes) are displayed, as well as handkerchiefs (given by the bride as a present to the bridegroom), a rosary and prayer-book cover, and finally gentlemen's jewellery (clasp set with precious stones and covered with enamel, ornamental buttons, belts, and a pair of stirrups made by the goldsmith Sebestyén Hann). In a case different clocks and watches (table clock, sundial, pocket watch) from the 17th century can be seen. The small wedding chest is decorated with painted figures representing a bridal pair (Fig 71). On the opposite side of the passage between the windows, cabinet-like, we have placed the objects of smaller themes. The first composition commemorates one of the greatest personalities of the 17th century, Miklós Esterházy (1582-1645) and his family. Born into the lesser nobility, Esterházy became the first man of the country and was elected palatine in 1625. By means of advantageous marriages, he acquired large estates and his family was counted amongst the wealthiest. Sumptuous Baroque residences were built for the family at Kismarton (Eisenstadt), Fraknó (Forchtenau) and Lánzsér (Landsee). From the once-famous Esterházy treasury come the ivory goblet, the agate goblet in a mounting adorned with enamel (Fig. 74), and the pendants, necklaces and rings. The short coat embroidered in silk and gold thread was worn by Palatine Pál Esterházy at one of his weddings. Above a 17th-century dower chest, the united family tree of Pál Esterházy and his wife, née Orsolya Esterházy, represents an artistic form of displaying ancestors. On the choir-stalls of the Adámos church an incised inscription refers to the greatest figure of the Reformation in Transylvania, Ferenc Dávid (d. 1579), first bishop of the Unitarians. The carved bench was made in the second half of the 16th century; its armrest is an addition from the 17th century. An equally individual piece of furniture is the writing cabinet of Márton Olmucer, of Szepesszombat (Spisská Sobota). Behind