Horler Miklós: Budapest 1. budai királyi palota 1. Középkori idomtégla töredékek (Magyarország építészeti töredékeinek gyűjteménye 4. Budapest, 1995) (Magyarország építészeti töredékeinek gyűjteménye 4. Budapest, 1998)

András Végh: Medieval Terracotta finds from the royal Palace of Buda

consequently there are suspected basic types which we know nothing of. In studying the pieces we grouped them according to function: such as pieces of windows, cornices, or pillars. Between them, however, there used to be large blank surfaces. A further problem is posed by the fact that very often there is no ground on which identified items of the same function could be arranged. To give an example: one set of fragments used to be part of the moulding of a window frame, while an other set that of the decoration around it. But, as there are different types known in both applications, we cannot tell which pieces belonged together. None of the measured sizes are sufficient to decide the issue. To complicate the matter even further, there are some items where the function itself is uncertain. There are decorated strips for instance, which could have been part of window jambs or part of cornices, they may even have adorned the surfaces of the walls. All this needs to be mentioned before we can begin to discuss the reconstruction possibilities. Because of the above mentioned difficulties, we have chosen to discuss pieces with an identified function; measurements and size will, occasionally, assist in the process. Very often the result is a series of different reconstruction possibilities, which are not sufficient to evoke the overall picture of the original building, but nevertheless offer some compensation by giving an idea of its style. Four specific elements

—the windows, the cornice and its decoration, pilasters of the main façade, and pilasters and vaults of the interior will now be dealt with in detail. Windows (Cat. 100.2-360) The ample number of pieces to be linked with window structures form a body of material much too varied to suggest any specific reconstruction; it permits us only to venture different possibilities (Fig. 2729.) The innermost part, with the groove for the window, was constructed of simple elements with a chamfer. These have survived in a smaller and a bigger version. Almost a complete set

—framework, window-sill and arches

—are known from the smaller version, while only fragments of frames and arches from the bigger version are extant. We suspect the bigger windows to be analogous to the smaller ones (Cat. 100.2-14., 16-20) (Fig. 26). These innermost elements were framed by moulded splaying and other decoration; much of this can be identified

—for example, slabs with plate tracery or leaf decoration (Cat. 100.105-124), small three-quater columns (Cat. 100.46-76), crocket decorated arches (Cat. 100.279-292), chamfers, or twisted ovolo elements (Cat. 100.21^5., 293-305). Simplest are those with a chamfer; these come in two different sizes, as does the type with three-quater columns. These were placed either directly in front of a background of some sort, or were embellished with a cavetto and an inserted fillet. Most numerous are the decorated slabs with an arched outline. It may well be, however, that they did not exclusively belong to window structures, but occurred in the frameworks of doorways, or on the edges of arches. With the exception of some pieces, it is impossible to advance any certain opinion on this question. The exceptions are those items which could be joined with straight elements, as the two together can only be explained in the context of windows. Nevertheless, we have endeavoured to classify them. Independent patterns

—for example, a gloriola with seven rays (Cat. 100.121-123), a rosette with six petals (Cat. 100.119-120), four interconnected palmette leaves (Cat. 100.118), and a quatrefoil plate tracery

—(Cat. 100.162-171 ) can be seen on the biggest items. Somewhat smaller are the parts of an arch decorated with foil and set in diagonally arranged squares (Cat. 100.150-161). Half the width are those slabs with plate tracery and scroll decoration which have adjoining straight elements, also (Cat. 100.107-115., 146-149). Even narrower is an arch with a plate tracery motif (Cat. 100.145). There are a number of fragments which were not classified, as their assessment is impossible. These can be used in any of our suggested reconstructions, occasionally even more pieces around the same window, a circumstance due to the lack of knowledge we have of them. The decorated slabs were bordered by twisted cavolo and other moulded elements, and crockets were running along the rim of the total decorated surface (Cat. 100.297-305., 77., 307-343., 279-292). Like the framework elements, these slabs, too, could easily have been part of any other architectural structure with an arched element, for example, a gate or an arcade. The tympanums of the most sophisticated windows were decorated with plate tracery.

55 (Figs. 23-25.) Despite the fact that numerous fragments have survived, unfortunately only a few full patterns could be reconstructed. All patterns derive basically from the same form: below there are two small lancet arches,