Árpád Dékáni, a prominent figure in Hungarian lace design, was born 164 years ago, in 1861. He is associated with the creation of the early designs of the world-famous Halas lace between 1902 and 1906, an acknowledged masterpiece of industrial art both in Hungary and abroad.

The lace's unique patterns were inspired by Art Nouveau, Hungarian folk art, and the characteristics of family handicraft. Halas lace was first introduced in 1902 at the Christmas exhibition of the Museum of Applied Arts. Its uniqueness lies in the revolutionary so-called needle-lace technique, the execution of which is credited to the work of Mária Markovits.

Dékáni, who also worked as a drawing teacher, placed great emphasis on collecting folk art, in which his students also assisted him. The decorative laces quickly gained popularity both domestically and internationally, as evidenced by numerous awards received at international exhibitions. His work contributed to the development of Hungarian cottage industry and culture, and the Halas Lace House still operates today. The great success of Halas lace stems from the blend of Hungarian traditions and its unique technique.