Dowry of a Kalotaszeg Bride

What did the dowry of a Transylvanian girl in the 1930’s consist of? Tablecloths, pillows, pillowcases, sheets, bedspreads, laces, kerchiefs, curtains, wall-hangings, towels, aprons, blankets, pottery, painted chests, furniture, etc.

The pieces shown here are a small part of the dowry of JULIANNA CSISZÁR, who was a native of KALOTASZEG, west of Kolozsvár in Transylvania. She was born in Józsikafalva and grew up in Kiskalota. She married Johann Förster in the mid 1930’s. They moved to Germany because of her husbands work before World War II. Julianna was able to take all her belongings (dowry) with her as she didn’t leave her homeland as a war fugitive. Her colorfully decorated home – especially in German surroundings – gave the impression of a beautiful ethnographic museum.

The American Hungarian Museum’s exhibition of embroideries and other artifacts are only a small portion of her dowry. They are the remaining pieces, which her children and grandchildren did not want or need. They provide and excellent insight, however, as to how rich and colorful the original dowry must have been.

Emese Kerkay