Szirácsik Éva (szerk.): A Magyar Mezőgazdasági Múzeum Közleményei 2018-2019 (Budapest, 2019)

Gócsáné Móró Csilla: Vajdahunyadvártól a Vajdahunyadvárig. Blaskovich-gyűjtemény a Vajdahunyadvárban

The Blaskovich collection in Vajdahunyad Castle

CSILLA GÓCSÁNÉ MÓRÓ

In 1896 a national exhibition celebrating 1000 years of Hungarian statehood was organized in Budapest. Vajdahunyad Castle, erected in City Park for this occasion, housed 15,000 artefacts from almost 900 exhibitors, showcasing the cultural development of the country. The mementoes of history, architecture and fine art were grouped according to the main phases of national development.

The late descendants of the family that was ennobled in 1712 did not only excel in the breeding of thoroughbreds, but in art collecting as well. Kincsem, the world-famous, unbeatable racing horse was born and trained at the Tápiószentmárton stud farm of the Blaskovich family. In the mid- 20th century the Tápiószele mansion became the site for the only museum in Hungary presenting the life of the middle nobility. The father of the Blaskovich brothers who founded the collection, Gyula Blaskovich (1843- 1911), owned the kind of collection that some of its items were deemed worthy of the millenary exhibition.

The family collection of Gyula Blaskovich was represented by 21 artefacts in the national exhibition: eleven pipes from the 18th century, two sets of horse tack, also from the 18th century (these were restored for the coronation of Franz Joseph). Also featured: a pair of 18th century silver gilt pistols, a Turkish dagger in silver sheath, a 19th century ceremonial sword with gold and silver inlays, ivory handle and velvet scabbard, a 18th century gilt ceremonial sword with turquoise inlays and two 17th century pelisse chains. The items and documents presented at the millenary exhibition are still owned by the museum.

152