Turkotek Discussion Forums - View Single Post - The Tatra Museum

Marek Szymanowicz · April 17th, 2009, 01:48 PM

Hallo

As I promissed earlier
here is some information about another interesting polish oriental carpet collection for all fans planning a visit in the Tatra Mountains.

The collection dates back to 1906, which was when Włodzimierz Kulczycki (1862–1936), Professor and later Rector of the Veterinary Academy in Lwów [now L’viv, Ukraine] bought his first eastern carpets. His attitude towards oriental fabric and carpet collecting was from the very beginning based on scholarly foundations: he gathered the literature on carpet weaving and acquainted himself systematically with this peculiar area of the material culture of the East. He was himself the author of several works on carpets.(in polish and german language.) Between the World Wars his collection was several times presented at exhibitions. His son Jerzy Kulczycki (1898–1974), Ph.D., an art historian, was likewise a passionate collector. Between the World Wars, he augmented the collection in keeping with the concept outlined by this father: it was to cover carpet weaving practised by all the nations of Asia Minor, Central Asia, Iran and the Caucasus.

During World War II the collection suffered no major losses. When the repatriation of the Poles started in 1946, Kulczycki found himself in Warsaw and was for many years employed at Warsaw University. Owing its survival to many people’s help, the collection was for many years stored beneath the double-floor in the Kulczyckis’ bed-sitter. Because of Jerzy Kulczycki’s declining health the couple moved to the region of Podhale (Southern Poland) in 1964, previously resolving to divide the collection and selling part of it to Wawel Castle in Cracow. Sixty-four items, for the most part luxury ones, intended for palace use, went to Cracow. Of no lesser value, the folk carpets accompanied the Kulczyckis at Murzasichle where they had a house built. In accordance with her husband’s will, in 1977 Anna Piotrowicz-Kulczycka placed them in charge of the Tatra Museum in Zakopane as a gift to the nation.

I'd love to post few pictures but I'm not sure how to do it ;/

As mentioned part of the collection is shown at the Wawel Castle in Kraków, which ownes a lot of other orientalia including Ottoman tents and flags taken from Turks after the Battle of Vienna, a lot of eastern armours, some ceramics and so on.. thats a subject for a different thread and another reason for a visit in Poland

There is some nice and rare pieces to see too; like so called "polish/polonaise" carpets, the "cracow-paris" carpet.

if you need to know more - i'll be happy to do a little research

regards
marek

April 17th, 2009, 01:48 PM	#1
Marek Szymanowicz Members Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kraków, Poland Posts: 12	The Tatra Museum - Zakopane, Poland Hallo As I promissed earlier here is some information about another interesting polish oriental carpet collection for all fans planning a visit in the Tatra Mountains. The collection dates back to 1906, which was when Włodzimierz Kulczycki (1862–1936), Professor and later Rector of the Veterinary Academy in Lwów [now L’viv, Ukraine] bought his first eastern carpets. His attitude towards oriental fabric and carpet collecting was from the very beginning based on scholarly foundations: he gathered the literature on carpet weaving and acquainted himself systematically with this peculiar area of the material culture of the East. He was himself the author of several works on carpets.(in polish and german language.) Between the World Wars his collection was several times presented at exhibitions. His son Jerzy Kulczycki (1898–1974), Ph.D., an art historian, was likewise a passionate collector. Between the World Wars, he augmented the collection in keeping with the concept outlined by this father: it was to cover carpet weaving practised by all the nations of Asia Minor, Central Asia, Iran and the Caucasus. During World War II the collection suffered no major losses. When the repatriation of the Poles started in 1946, Kulczycki found himself in Warsaw and was for many years employed at Warsaw University. Owing its survival to many people’s help, the collection was for many years stored beneath the double-floor in the Kulczyckis’ bed-sitter. Because of Jerzy Kulczycki’s declining health the couple moved to the region of Podhale (Southern Poland) in 1964, previously resolving to divide the collection and selling part of it to Wawel Castle in Cracow. Sixty-four items, for the most part luxury ones, intended for palace use, went to Cracow. Of no lesser value, the folk carpets accompanied the Kulczyckis at Murzasichle where they had a house built. In accordance with her husband’s will, in 1977 Anna Piotrowicz-Kulczycka placed them in charge of the Tatra Museum in Zakopane as a gift to the nation. I'd love to post few pictures but I'm not sure how to do it ;/ As mentioned part of the collection is shown at the Wawel Castle in Kraków, which ownes a lot of other orientalia including Ottoman tents and flags taken from Turks after the Battle of Vienna, a lot of eastern armours, some ceramics and so on.. thats a subject for a different thread and another reason for a visit in Poland There is some nice and rare pieces to see too; like so called "polish/polonaise" carpets, the "cracow-paris" carpet. if you need to know more - i'll be happy to do a little research regards marek Last edited by Marek Szymanowicz; April 17th, 2009 at 01:57 PM.