The Magyars, the original group of peoples who migrated west into Central Europe, arrived with a distinct aesthetic in their decorative arts. Due to Hungary’s location in the heart of Central Europe, Hungarian furniture-making has a long history with widely ranging influences. Elements of Hungarian folk art that resonate today date as far back as the medieval period. For example, the blue and red color combinations that characterize folk furniture across most Hungarian cultural regions date back to the middle ages. Later periods, specifically the Northern Italian Renaissance, influenced Hungarian decorative motifs, shapes, and techniques as well.
Turkish aesthetics are also prevalent in Hungarian folk art because of centuries of Turkish occupation and warfare. Unfortunately, many objects from both the medieval and the Renaissance periods were entirely lost during this period. The majority of Hungarian crafts and materials preserved today are therefore from the nineteenth century onward.
