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Indeed…what is the traditionally
Magyar ’tarsoly’ [pronounce ’tar-shoy] in its long-past and present
interpretation? Insignia of rank, decoration, coat of arms, religion,
a sign to remember, a message, a substitute for pocket, a way of
thinking, a way of living? What did our ancestors put in it? What
would we, ourselves keep in it? Let us try and find the answers. |
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According
to the Hungarian Explanatory Dictionary |
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tarsoly
n, old, A flat bag made
of leather, with a shoulder-belt.
hist, a decorated flat bag suspended from the weapon belt of a Hungarian
hussar, next to his sabre, a sabretache, originally serving to keep
money, food or ammunition in it.
tarsolylemez n,Art Ornamented metal cover plate of
a conquest-age tarsoly.
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Efforts
have been made to translate the Hungarian word ‘tarsoly’
to English. The best result that came out was ‘sabretache’.
Since the word sabretache does mean a hussar’s bag, but does
not cover the meaning and use of our one-thousand years old conquest
period ‘tarsoly’s, I prefer using the original Hungarian
word ‘tarsoly’ on this homepage.
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| The Hungarian word for the Magyar conquest
period ’honfoglalás’ is not a natural word but an artificial one made
out by Hungarian language reformers in the 18th century. That’s why
I use the expression of ’return home’ instead of ’conquest of homeland’.
The expression ’hazatérés’ (return home) was in use to sign the Hungarian
conquest period for about 2000 years preceding the language reform. |
My
intention with this home page is to present ‘tarsoly’ cover plate
findings found in historical Magyar graves from the ’return home’
age as well as to take a look at our ancestors’ art, culture and
customs though these findings. |
A banderial sabretache from
1791, from Vas county, Hungary |
I would
be grateful to get information on the activity of contemporary craftsmen
preparing ‘tarsoly’-s with or without a metal cover plate who would
like to present their products through this home page. |
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is also my intention to present the work of contemporary craftsmen
who take every effort to revive the delightful tradition of wearing
and preparing a ’tarsoly’ in our running age. These craftsmen greatly
contribute to keeping our precious treasure, our ancient culture alive.
Hopefully, one day you will also be
able to wear your ’tarsoly’ thus refuting the prediction of József
Huszka in 1929: ‘Never again comes a time when the four-thousand old
Magyar ornamentation comes in fashion, but my book may pay a tribute
to it.’ |
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Of course, by maintaining
this homepage I have no commercial aims. The prices of ’tarsoly’-s
offered for sale in this homepage, contain no commercial commission
for myself. |
| Tarsolybearers’
choice |
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A wall calendar for the year 2003 has been published presenting
12 of our tarsoly cover plates, in the size of 47x32 cm. The
pages - thoroughly designed, contain the artistic photographs
of masterpiece copies of the tarsoly cover plates made by László
Pál Révész. Also, ancient Magyar first
names as well as old Hungarian holidays are indicated in the
calendar. Though a wonderful work as it is – in my opinion
this calendar would show much nicer printed on a higher quality
e.g. mat paper. You can order this calendar from Allprint Kft.,
Budapest, phone: +36 1 381 0464 |
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| Where can I buy my tarsoly? |
Straight from the manufacturers.
Here at the tarsolybearers' homepage you can find phone numbers/e-mail
adresses of craftsmen manufacturing tarsoly-s, where there is also
a possibility to realize individual designs if needed.
Retailers/shops:
A few shops that engage in selling tarsoly-s, and possibly have a
choice of more pieces:
Eleven Világ íjászbolt – Hungary, Budapest, XVI. ker Rákosi
út 82., Phone: +36 1 402-4633
Szkíta kézművesbolt – Hungary, Budapest, V. ker. Semmelweis u. 1-3.,
Phone: +36 1 267-4511/410
Tüzes íjász – Hungary, Budapest, VI. ker. Teréz krt. 10., Phone: +36
1352-6154
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| Should you have any
information or other data in connection with the subject of this
homepage, please contact me at info@tarsolyosok.hu |
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© Legal
Warning. Pictures and descriptions originating from other
authors have been used on this homepage by the indication
of the name of author and source. In case of any further
use of these web pages, legal regulation of copyright must
be respected in all cases. |
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Home
Let’s
see what’s in our tarsoly! 
Last updated 06.08.2003.
