Imre Jakabffy (szerk.): Ars Decorativa 3. (Budapest, 1975)
KOÓS, Judith: Some Hungarian masters of the goldsmith's art of the Art Nouveau
enamel and also a central rosette-like ornament similarly with lobed closing. On the right and left side of the lobed ornament we find one similarly lobed tendril-like projecting ornament each. Below, there are two threefold leaf compositions turning towards each other, with red gem closing. The lobed big motive above is surrounded by seven small floral ornaments in a circular form, the middle, fourth item of which holds the twisted gilded silver lace surrounding the neck. While in the works of Oszkár Tarján the traditions and forms of Hungarian folk art are dominating, the jewels of Pál Horti (1865—1907) point rather towards the Belgian stylistic tendencies of the Art Nouveau. His works — as it has already been pointed out by us in a detailed form at another place 10 — were executed not by Oszkár Tarján, but by Samu Hibján. His original jewel designs, which are similarly published by us, can be found in the Budapest Museum of Applied Arts. The third master, without whom the discussion of the aspirations of Hungarian goldsmith's art in the period concerned would be incomplete, is Károly Herpka (1801—1938). His father, as a metal-founder, was the head of the foundry of the Schlick Machine Factory. The casting of several statues of Budapest, as well as the preparation of the cast, artistic bronze works of the Hungarian Opera House, the Parliament Building and the St. Stephen Church are linked with his name. His son, returning home after his professional studies in Vienna, Nürnberg, Paris and Munich, acted as professor at the Budapest School of Applied Arts. The various departments of the School were organized at its foundation and during the early years of its existance. Károly Herpka was the first head of the goldsmith's department. As a significant task, the organization and direction of the galvanoplastie workshop, established in the framework of the Hungarian National Museum of Applied Arts, was entrusted to him. The task of this workshop was to prepare the galvanoplastie copies of the goldsmith's objects of prominent historical and artistic significance in possession of the Museum of Applied Arts, the Hungarian National Museum and the private collections. The ,,Illustrated Catalogue of Galvanoplastie Copies", issued by the Hungarian Museum of Applied arts 11 , brings the galvanoplastie copies, illustrations of 209 pieces, which are published by the Catalogue under reference with detailed descriptions. These copies were sold not only in Hungary but also abroad. The two foreign firms, which undertook the commission of the sale, were t wo significant work-shops of the goldsmith's and metallurgical art of the turn of the century, viz.: Christof le et Cie, 50 Rue de Bondy, Paris, as well as Elkington et Cie, Regent Street, London W. 12 3. S. HIBJÁN: FEMALE PORTRAIT, ENAMEL PAINTING. MUSEUM OF APPLIED ARTS 4. SIGNATURE OF S. HTBJÁN ON FEMALE PORTRAIT
