Magyar News, 1997. szeptember-1998. augusztus (8. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1998-01-01 / 5. szám

Szilvia Balta and Joseph Balogh

limelight, but wasn’t able to compete with the quantity that the competing big manufacturers were producing. He expanded into a field where they were complimenting patterns of Meisen, Sevres and Chinese. One occasion was the order by the King of Sardinia. He wanted to replace missing pieces of his table setting. Fischer made the pieces, but when he was preparing the presentation, he switched with the original Chinese pieces from the glass cabinet. He put those onto the table and the Herend pieces into the cabinet. The king and his entourage came into the room and were inspecting the porcelains criticizing

Bunny in fishnet design

the quality of the pieces. Then Fischer told them about the switch and the critics realized that Herend was superior to the old Chinese. After this Fischer got a break and was able to expand into original designs. Another break came when at the World Exhibition in London, Queen Victoria ordered table settings of numerous pieces. The English nobility followed in her footsteps. This brought Herend into the international arena. A few years later, in 1853, Herend became a medal winner in New York. For his achievements he was given the name Moritz Fischer von Farkashazy and was elevated to nobility.

The 20th century Herend was lead by the grandson, Jeno, who set the factory’s future with many international awards.

Dómján in his studio

Counts András and Móric Eszterhazy continued the production from 1926 til the nationalization of the factory in 1943. The quality of the production and the handpainting has never been compromised in the later period.

This show at Nieman Marcus was part of a program that the store chain puts on. Ten of them were having a guest touring and signing Herend pieces. Master painter, Szilvia Balta, from the Herend studio arrived at the gallery with some delay because of the weather. She immediately set up her “studio” and sat down to work. A lovely young lady with a warm personality and command of English, connected with the shoppers. Many of the pieces were already marked as “Artist Event 1997.” Later in the afternoon Nieman Marcus gave a reception with original Hungarian Pick szalami included. The vice president of Nieman Marcus invited the celebrities and Herend shoppers to the reception. Assisting her were Carol Kahn, public relations manager and Friderika Szatmári, Hungarian speaking sales representative.

Steve Nemeth and his gypsy orchestra provided authentic Hungarian music. The Consul General of the Republic of Hungary addressed the people gathered at the reception pointing out the importance of the American and Hungarian connection and collaboration. Also Professor August Molnár from the Hungarian Heritage Museum in New Brunswick participated. Adjacent to the Herend exhibit were the Dómján art pieces. The beautiful, colorful woodcut prints adorned the wall with a sampling of exquisite tapestries. Alongside were the browsing racks filled with masterpieces. If you haven’t seen Domjan’s art, then go to the Pearl of Budapest Restaurant where besides Hungarian food you can enjoy observing a nice collection of Domjan’s work. Or you may go to New Brunswick and see an extensive show at the Hungarian Heritage Museum.

My Hungarian heart was pounding with Hungarian joy.

Joseph F. Balogh

HEREND

IN PROPER PLACE

Was I looking for work? Well no. I was looking for a workplace. I have to like the work I do.

1 set out to “Nieman Marcus,” one of America’s most elegant stores. I went to Short Hill in New Jersey. Still a distance away, I noticed the sign that was familiar to me from the mail order catalogue.

As I walked into the store a strange dizziness came over me. It was the high class image in front of me. As the escalater was taking me up, my eyes were working like a camera; picture after picture. To my right I saw the fluffy nightgowns, the robes were beconning. Was I in dreamland?

Somehow I got over the paperwork and the interview .... I was hired! Then I went to another floor with extreme curiosity. In front of me there were the beautiful evening gowns, the designer outfits, the clothing lines of famous designers. Then my throat became very tight. I was in the “Gallery” displaying crystals, ceramics, gift items, the best pieces of creative artists.

At the next tum I lost my breath; There was a huge glass cabinet full of ‘HEREND.’ “My dear little country, from far away you too arrived here?”

Now I’m never alone in the store thanks to HEILEND. “I am proud of you!”

I’ve been working at Nieman Marcus for some time now. Whenever I take the escalater to see the Herend exhibit, the memories of the first day come back to me: ”YES, 1 arrived in dreamland!”

I thank Queen Victoria, and the many others for their good deeds.

I also thank Herend for reminding me of the motherland.

Friderika Szatmári Page 5