Hungarian Passover

Since we are right on the heels of Passover, I want to highlight the exhibition in the Jewish Museum in Budapest. It is located next to the birthplace of Theodor Herzl, and while the museum occupies only four rooms it contains an impressive visual overview of the long history of Jews in Hungary. The square, domed building was designed by László Vágó in 1932.

The artifacts on display, which thankfully survived the war by being stored in the basement of the National Museum, include Sabbath and holiday items (including fine examples of Herend porcelain Passover plates), ritual objects and cultural objects of daily life. In the table setting for Passover, an illustrated Haggadah is open to the 10 plagues, and fine porcelain is on the table.

This seder plate is particularly unusual--it demonstrates fine silversmithing but also a bit of whimsy. I have never seen anything quite like it. The porcelain seder plates are spectacular--gorgeous colors, fine workmanship and put mine to shame. But this one raises Passover to the level of a hoiday to look forward to. The silver figures awaiting their bundles--maror, haroset, and egg, bitter herbs--look expectant and ready to hold their ceremonial burdens. So lovely.