The skirt and the bodice are cut from an Italian cut-pile velvet, decorated with Renaissance flowers – tulips, rosettes, palmettes and spiral tendrils, carried out from gilded silver and silver thread, with appliqué raised embroidery technique decorated with individual and strung coral beads. 

Tradition has it that the skirt belonged to Pál Esterházy’s first wife, Orsolya, and than to his second wife Éva Thököly. Unfortunately, The sources mention this somewhat late although the Renaissance influence on the decoration supports the earlier dating.

Date of production: Mid 17th century

Place of Design: Hungary

Size: skirt: H: 102, W: 105, bodice: H: 53 cm

Originally dark blue, now greenish-blue cut-pile silk velvet, with appliqué gilded silver and silver thread raised embroidery, decorated with coral beads

Access Number: 52.2855.1-2

Museum: Hungarian National Museum Public Collection Centre- Museum of Applied Arts