Fragment from Máté Tolnai’s coat-of-arms

Created: 1500-1535

Material, technology: limestone

Size: the upper part of the coat-of-arms: h.: 16 cm, l.: 20 cm, w.: 9 cm. The lower corner of the coat-of-arms: h.: 15 cm, l.: 15 cm

Description: The two fragments of this stone coat-of-arms do not fit together. Originally a thin slab probably surrounded the area encompassing the shield with the head of a horse. The head and feet of the animal were probably that of a horse (?), while the hind quarters (nothing of this remains) may have been fish-like. This shape could be identified with the hippocampus figure on Máté Tolnai’s coat-of-arms. The dowel holes provide a clue to its original location: it was an appliqué carving, which was hung on the wall separately.