Backstrap for Hungarian Harness

Backstrap for Hungarian Harness, Austria, Late 19th Century Among harnesses that formed a part of the coach room of third Ordynat, there is a Hungarian harness for a team of five horses. Only the backstraps for this harness have been preserved. The described backstrap with a crupper strap and the traces of the breeching is made of black patent leather, while the fittings are made of yellow metal. Padded backstraps with two rings, at the side of which there are count crowns and two stylised combs, typical for the Hungarian harness. Another element characteristic for this type of harness is the openwork, flat ribbons attached to the breeching and finishing of the edges of leather and metal elements of rings, combs and clasps with flat, openwork and rounded serration. The harness, together with other Łańcut harnesses, was evacuated in 1944 to Vienna by Ordynat Alfred Antoni Potocki, who was fleeing from the Red Army. In 1959, it was donated to the Museum by the ordynat’s widow, Izydora Potocka née Jodko-Narkiewicz. It returned to Łańcut incomplete. Aldona Cholewianka-Kruszyńska