Vadas József (szerk.): Ars Decorativa 13. (Budapest, 1993)
BOBROVSZKY Ida: Három gótizáló ötvösmű Kecskemétről
IDA BOBROVSZKY THREE GOLDSMITH'S WORKS OF GOTHIC STYLE FROM KECSKEMÉT The researcher of seventeenth century Hungarian applied arts has seldom the chance to find interesting pieces made by a goldsmith master whose activity and biographical data are relatively well-known. Being the works of György Cseh, a goldsmith of Kecskemét, the Gothic style silvergilt beakers from the 1630s, now in the collection of the Hungarian National Museum, the Athens Byzantine Museum and the Calvinist Church of Tószeg 1 , belong to this category. We have known altogether seven pieces made by György Cseh between 1626 and 1641, though he was surely active as a goldsmith for a much longer time. His name was first mentioned in the goldsmith guild rule of Kecskemet, reinforced in 1625 2 , then it appeared almost continuously in city documents up till 1685, in connection with various matters. 3 For example, the minutes of the city council session in 1644 mention György Cseh, the goldsmith of Kecskemét, as a hired judge. 4 In 1679 we again meet his name in the testimony of István Szenczi Ötvös of Kecskemét. 5 In 1680, on behalf of the Calvinists, he signed a receipt of 2000 tallers (contemporary Hungarian money) paid by the Catholics 6 , while in 1684 his name is mentioned together with another Kecskemét goldsmith, György Tar, on the board which commemorated the names of the constructors of the Calvinist church. 7 Among the pieces which have so far been attributed to him we can find two cups and two plates for ecclesiastical use; both were made in a special Late Renaissance style developed by the goldsmiths of Kecskemét and Nagykőrös. 8 Fine but simple shapes, engraved lambrequin decoration were typical of this style, and was strictly followed by all goldsmiths who belonged to the Kecskemet guild. They were faithfully keeping to the aesthetic requirements established by the Presbyterian synods; i.e. a sober, modest, unostentatious and harmonious way of expression that they have considered to be worthy of their religious belief. 9 Public taste - the population being mainly Presbyterian - was ready to accept these ideas. 10 Among goldsmiths from this region, it was only György Cseh whose name can be connected to objects - namely to three Gothic-style beakers - that were trying to surpass this simple way of expression. The beakers, being the fruits of a bizarre idea of the goldsmith, are representatives of a special "Gothic Mannerism". We have no information what could have inspired the master to produce these mixed style pieces. He may have been influenced by the Nco-Gothic style of South-German masters, through a channel which is yet unknown for researchers. 11 On the other hand, goldsmiths from the Great Hungarian Plain were also familiar with the Mannerist concetto. 12 It is also possible that he was
