Collection of Applied Arts

A six-pointed star-shaped ornament. Each of the projecting arms terminates in a set garnet, while the bases of the arms are decorated with turquoises set in silver rosettes and with cast leaves. The mente is an outer coat of varying length worn as part of both men’s and women’s ceremonial Hungarian dress. Its origins are linked partly to the Hungarian sense of Eastern identity and partly to the traditions of the mounted hussars. It became particularly widespread as ceremonial attire during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when it was worn by the patriotically minded aristocracy on important occasions. The mente was accompanied by a matching jewellery garniture, which could include an aigrette for the kalpag, a mente fastening, a sword belt, spurs, an ornamental belt and a set of buttons.