8. Decorative Arts (12-20th c.)

Archbishop János Simor and Bishop Arnold Ipolyi strove to preserve, liturgical objects used for medieval church service but later withdrawn from use. In Hungary, a great part of these was destroyed during the Mongolian raids (1241-42) and the more than 150-year long Turkish occupation (1526-1699). The collectors attempted to acquire objects similar to the destroyed ones by purchases abroad. They acquired works mainly from German and Austrian antique dealers, and especially from the Schnütgen Collection in Cologne. Almost all forms of the decorative arts are represented in the collection of the Christian Museum: metalwork (liturgical objects, table decoration, cutlery, clocks, clothing accessories), textiles (liturgical vestments, tapestries, eastern carpets, laces, folk and aristocratic embroidery), ceramics (Chinese porcelain, delftware, porcelain from all the European manufacturers, Habán ceramics, glass, decorative vases), glass painting (16-19th c.), and ivory carvings (12-19th c.).
P.Cs.