belt
- Museum number
- Eu1997,04.102
- Description
-
Woman's belt ('pojas'), embroidered beadwork on a base of white cotton, the entire surface covered with a geometric pattern in coloured glass beads, bordered with green beads and black braid; backed with red and black corded velvet (the fabric backing is a later replacement). Fastened by a hook and loop (the hook is missing). This type of belt is also known as a 'kolince od monistra' (monastery belt).
- Production date
- 1930s (donor information)
- Dimensions
-
Length: 81 centimetres
-
Width: 5.50 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- Text from Eth Doc 1892, no. 64: This belt was made by village women from purchased material: white cotton mounted on red and black 'corded' velvet. The geometric patterns are executed in coloured glass beads and there is a border of green beads and black braid around the decorated panel. Fastened by a metal hook and loop. (The hook is missing). This item is traditionally used to mount the large silver buckle and originally was more ornate with gilt and silver wire decoration and perhaps imitation or real semi-precious stones. The name could perhaps be linked with the rich vestments worn by the Orthodox priests.
Religion: Macedonian Orthodox.
Information supplementary to Eth Doc:
This would have been worn over a textile sash for special occasions (K. Ward, Sept 2009). See Eu1997,04.90 for a similar belt.
G. Zdravev, 'Macedonian Folk Costumes I', Skopje 1991, p. 253, notes that beaded ornaments - 'monistrani kjusteci' - made as part of rural home industries were worn by both men and women, mentioning in particular the beaded belts with geometric decoration charcteristic of women's costumes in eastern Macedonia.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- fastening hook is missing
- Acquisition date
- 1997
- Acquisition notes
- Purchased by the donor from 'Trojan' the wool dyer in his old shop in the 'Bit Pazar' quarter of the old part of Skopje.
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- Eu1997,04.102