The Hungarian Saddle

(Exhibition at the Hungarian Museum of Ethnography from March 21 to September 10, 2002)
extract, Imre Gráfik (Budapest)

By presenting a collection of saddles from the Hungarian and International Departments of the Museum of Ethnography together with ethnographical descriptions and classifications and an interpretation of their ethnological significance, the organizers of the exhibition wish to outline the history of an object of outstanding importance in the Hungarian cultural heritage and material culture, as well as outline the past, present, and future of the related equestrian culture. The entire saddle collection of the Museum of Ethnography, supplemented by objects related to saddling (e.g. stirrups, bridles, leather harnesses) and artifacts borrowed from other museums, is exhibited in an area of approximately 700 square meters, divided into nine show rooms. Saddle cloths can be seen and studied separately in the framework of an independent chamber exhibition (April–May 2002).

Nineteenth-century saddle frame (Tiszafüred, Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County), Hungarian Museum of Ethography 121.72.5. Photo: László Roboz.