William Penn Life, 1986 (21. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1986 / Különszám
William Penn Life, Special Centennial Issue, Page 19 motives and harmony of colors. The beautiful white on white runner presented was originated from Jaszarokszallas, Szolnok County have also been enriched with simple stitched embroidery. The Matyó genius of embroidery on home spun textiles was demonstrated by a pretty tapestry made in Mezőkövesd, Borsod Abauj Zemplén County. The Matyó designs are easily recognizable. They use strong red, green and blue motifs embroidered on black or white background. The distinct “Bereg designed” drapery exhibited from Borsod Abauj Zemple County depicts a fine example of a “cross stitching” techniques of hand woven artifacts. ETHNIC COSTUMES It appeared at first sight at the exhibit that the female manikin dressed in the folk costume of Kalocsa, Bacs Kiskun County was one of the attendants of the festive event. The slippers worn by the manikin were made in the Szeged fashion blended so well together with the colorful Kalocsa costume which was adorned with the motifs of blooming wild flowers in red, green, yellow, blue and lilac colors. This beautiful display of life size Kalocsa costume including two small toy dolls, also wearing Kalocsa costumes have earned a lot of comments from the viewing Anniversary participants. Four dolls modeling a peasant family of father, mother with child and an elderly woman with a flax strand separator have exhibited the world famous Matyó costumes of Mezőkövesd. Three dolls posing as the Hungarian cowboys of the Hortobágy people of Hajdú Bihar County. Looking at the smiling face of a pretty doll impersonating a Palóc bride from Nograd County seemed to suggest many pleasant memories to the exhibit viewers. HUNGARIAN POTTERY The origin of pottery making in Hungary goes way back to prehistorica! times. The abundance of good quality clay resources throughout the Carpathian Basin, made it possible for early man and for his modern counterparts to practice the art of clay pottery making in all shapes, forms, styles and uses in all levels of artistic achievements. Even the conquering Magyars brought with them to their new lands adorned A few guests mistook this manikin as one of the banquet hostesses. and unadorned clay vessels which helped to extend farther the ancient tradition to this day. Ornamental ceramics of all kinds of utensils, room and fireplace decorations have been made in Hungary from the periods of the Arpad dynasty. Several outstanding ornamental pottery within and beyond the borders of Hungary have been excavated by archaeologists. Similarly, cultural influences on Hungarian ornamental ceramics, especially from Western and Southern Europe, have been recorded from the 14th century on. The collection of new ideas are undoubtedly the same as were those ideas for the weavers. The potters also had to go abroad to enrich their skills of clay craftsmanship before they could earn the title and practice their profession as a master. For this reason and given the fact that most of the cooking and storing vessels of the Hungarians, even in the beginning of the 20th century, were earthware, made out of clay, it is no wonder, therefore, that folk made ceramics in form, color and motifs is one of the richest sections of Hungarian ornamental folk art. A few examples of this rich living Hungarian folk heritage were displayed at the 100th Anniversary celebration. There were beautifully decorated ceramic vases, pitchers, mugs and jugs in designs representing the home of the famous black pottery, the town of Nádudvar Hajdú Bihar County and the gorgeous wall plates of Hollohaza, Nograd County, including the plates of Hodmezovasarhely, Csongrad County attest to the long tradition of pottery craftsmanship practiced presently in Hungary. A distinct Hungarian ceramic art form the Haban technique, was also exhibited. This high level of ceramic craftsmanship was introduced in Hungary from abroad in the 16th Century by the wandering potters and by the Protestant Anabaptists (Habans) seeking refuge in Hungary from the brutal religious persecutions ravaging contemporary Western Europe. The Haban technique of glazing and their use of the so-called “colors of fire” lilac, yellow, blue, green and red on white base, became popular very rapidly then and practiced to this day by potters in all areas of Hungary. The works of M. Ficzere, a well known ceramist of the Haban technique were also presented to the festival audience. Several Haban vases (with cover), pitchers and plates, hand painted by the artist himself, have adourned the tables of the exhibit for the enjoyment of the viewing guests. WOOD CARVING AND FURNITURE Ornamental wood carving, furniture painting and making are also rich branches of Hungarian folk art developed over many centuries. Contemporary Muslim writers noted that the conquering Magyars used richly ornamented metal, wood, horn and bone utensils. The practice of wood, horn and bone carving goes back to prehistorical times among the Hungarian people, but furniture painting is rooted in the art of the Renaissance in Hungary. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the wandering choir, pulpit and ceiling painters of calvinist chur ches have unquestionably influenced and disseminated the art of furniture painting. These wandering artists for barter willingly took upon themselves decorating the furniture of their hosts in the villages and towns. These artistic services immediately provided examples in motifs and colors for local cabinet makers as well as to other branches of folk art. The abundance of forests in Historical Hungary have induced the rise of a number of important ornamental furniture centers. A few handsome representatives of this form of Hungarian folk culture were shown to the Anniversary celebrants. Skillfully painted spice and cloths racks, a cigarette box and a small chest in the traditional motifs of the Hodmezovasarhely area of Csongrad County were displayed. A nicely carved cane by the folk ar-These fine vases and dolls were many guests’ favorite items in the display of Hungarian folk arts and crafts donated to the Association by the World Federation of Hungarians. tist, Joseph Kapoli; a skillfully carved kitchen display rack; a hand carved pipe from the region of Kaposvár, Somogy County; and hand painted Easter eggs suggest that this tradition of folk art is alive and flourishing in Hungary today. The ancient tools of the Puszta (waste grasslands), the whip, which was carved by Sándor Szikra, and a cow bell with ornamental leather collar were exhibited. This ancient form of Hungarian livelihood and folk art is being presented in its original setting for the enjoyment of future generations. Hungarian folk art is extremely rich in all of its branches. The above described exhibit displayed at the 100th year Anniversary of the William Penn Association simply provides the readers a brief insight of the nature of folk art in Hungary. The exhibited materials donated by the World Federation will be preserved and displayed in the William Penn Association Museum, Wellsburg, West Virginia, where many other documents, and records of the fraternal association are now being housed. Assembled with the exhibit material will be the packing list from Hungary, full descriptions of the items displayed, a map where the folk art and craft items originated, and the poster and a general historical essay. (Displayed on the occasion of the 100th anniversary exhibit.) This exhibit of Hungarian folk arts and crafts afforded all those in attendance at the centennial dinner an opportunity to see the artifacts representing Hungarian culture, the heritage of the original founders of the William Penn Association a century ago. v.* % «*,*,1I* i* if »’ W*
