Hungarian National Museum

Visiting address

Múzeum krt. 14
1088 Budapest
Hungary



info@hnm.hu
https://mnm.hu/en/collections/historical-repository/smoking-collection

History
The Smoking Collection of the Hungarian National Museum was set up in 1974. The first item belonging to the future collection had been donated to the institution in 1813 by the magistrate of Komárom county. The brass-topped pipe had supposedly belonged to a Turkish beg. Due to the continuous, numerous donations, the Hungarian National Museum now has the largest and most significant collection dealing with the history of smoking.

Collection

Even in Eastern Europe people usually smoked Dutch clay pipes to smoke tobacco in the 17th century. Since these items were extremely fragile, only bits and broken pieces have been found in archaeological digs. Later, some Hungarian potters, inspired by these pipes, developed a type of pipe in shape of moustached Turkish men.

Meerschaum is a type of white or yellow-coloured sea sediment from Turkey. It is a lightweight, porous stone that absorbs the tobacco moist. By carving, real gems of art works have been created. Sculptors in the era of national romanticism were delighted to depict Hungarian historical events on their masterpieces.

In addition to the several types of pipes, smoking supplies, wall-fitted cabinets for pipes) some additional documentation material (pipe catalogues, advertisements) can be found in the collection.

Opening hours

Tuesday to Sunday:  10 am - 6 pm
closed on Mondays