The original mission and collection development policy concept of the Hungarian National Museum as a historical museum, that remains valid to this day, is researching and collecting Hungaricums, and preserving artefacts related to prominent Hungarian historical figures and events. Over time, the majority of Hungarian historical relics have been placed in various other collections specialised by material or type; new purchases are added within these collections. The Collection of Relics includes relics that could not be assigned to a material type or special theme, as well as relics in the strict sense, e.g. locks of hair, tombstone remains. One of the largest thematic units of the collection is the memorabilia of the heroes of the 1848–1849 revolution and war of independence, including that of Lajos Kossuth, Ferenc Deák, Sándor Petőfi, György Klapka, István Széchenyi, Lajos Batthyány, Artúr Görgey, József Bem, Károly Leiningen-Westerburg, and Ernő Kiss. The collection preserves a significant number of relics related to Hungarian monarchs of Habsburg origin and their family members. Archduke Joseph Anton Johann (1776–1847), the governor and palatine of Hungary, was given special respect, as he contributed immensely to the development of the country with his service. Among the members of the Habsburg family, Queen Elisabeth and Crown Prince Rudolph have earned a prominent place in Hungarian national memory. Those interested can get immersed in the material of the collection in the permanent historical exhibition, as well as in catalogues and compilations.
Contact: Dr. Orgona Angelika, orgona.angelika@hnm.hu
Gilded bronze key to the coffin of Lajos Batthyány, with the monogram B. L. in the center of its ornate headboard
A splinter from the wooden handrail of the Piski bridge. One of the most important – victorious – battles of József Bem's Transylvanian campaign was the Battle of Piski (February 9, 1849), in the outcome of which the bridge over the River Sztrigy played an important role. The inscription on the copper plate attached to the fragment reads: Piski 1897. IX/6.
The badge of the Polish Legion, which was part of the Hungarian army during the War of Independence of 1848–1849, and was most likely used as a finial. The upper part of the silver-plated metal badge forms the heraldic animal of the Kingdom of Poland, the crowned (white) eagle with outstretched wings. Engraved on the metal band below it are the locations of the battles where the soldiers of the Polish Legion participated: Arad Castle, Új-Arad, Szolnok, Kápolna, Nagysalló, Hatvan, Gödöllő, Isaszeg, Vác, Komárom, Szolnok, Szeged, Timisoara.
Oval-shaped dance card, covered in burgundy velvet, with colored pictures in a brass frame on the cover. On one side is a portrait of Queen Elizabeth, on the other side is a portrait of Emperor Franz Joseph. Inside the card is a text in Hungarian printed on two sheets of paper, with the order of the dances. The dance card comes with a pencil holder attached to a string.
A Carrara marble copy of Frédéric Chopin's hand. The Collection of Relics preserves copies of the hands of several artists (Mór Jókai, Ferenc Liszt). The object was bequeathed to the National Museum by Ferenc Liszt, who had a long-standing friendship with Chopin.
Gilded brass casket with a portrait of the elderly Lajos Kossuth, inside it are pressed flowers from the wreaths from Kossuth's funeral. Under the photograph is the inscription "Turino 1894".
