Thék, Endre (1842 - 1919)

Designer, furniture manufacturer. Studied in Budapest and Vienna, then worked in Paris until 1867. His conservative, Historicist furniture was very popular at exhibitions both in Hungary and abroad. He was an outstanding scholar of the historical styles in furniture design, interested principally in reviving French and English traditions. After 1867 he worked in Pest; in 1872 he established his own workshop, which later developed into a factory. He produced furniture for public buildings, such as the Opera, the Parliament and the Stock Exchange in Budapest, each designed by outstanding architects. His most important project was the reconstruction and .fitting out of Buda Castle, which he carried out in co-operation with the architect Alajos Hauszmann. The building complex comprised halls symbolizing the various periods of Hungarian history. In line with the prevailing taste of the period around 1900, he produced furniture in Modem Style. The Andrássy Palace dining-room, which he re-designed without consultating its designer, provoked a heated debate in professional circles. Endre Thék was one of the greatest innovators of Hungarian furniture production; his activities in the industry’s organization influenced not only the progress of furniture production, but also the development of Hungarian industry in general.