Woman’s Folk Costume | Polomka, Slovakia

Description

Origin: Slovakia | Horehronie region | Polomka village
Era: WWII era (circa 1930-1950) / Mid-20th century (post 1950)
Includes: blouse, vest, skirt, apron, shawl, cap
Condition: very good; minor bead loss to vest trim; light soiling to cap; shawl missing small section of fringe; white skirt panel replaced at some point; light general wear; suitable for both wear and display
Measurements (with garments laying flat):
   Vest – across front: 18″ between underarms
   Vest – length: 14″
   Skirt – waist: approximately 28-36″ around
   Skirt – length: 34.5″
   Shawl: 30″ square not including 4″ fringe
Additional Notes: Traditional woman’s folk costume from the neighboring villages of Polomka and Zavadka in central Slovakia. The costume is most well known for it’s unique pointed headdress cap unlike anything worn elsewhere in Slovakia. This is a particularly fine costume with an incredibly embroidered blouse and the old style blueprint skirt and apron. The blouse sleeves have initials embroidered beneath the large embroidered panels that are likely those of a bride and groom and the quality of this blouse suggests that it was made for a wedding. The cuffs are also decorated with beautiful handmade crochet lace. Over the blouse is worn a floral wool shawl and yellow floral brocade vest with beaded and cotton trim. The blueprint skirt has a front panel made of white cloth that is partially covered by the narrow festive apron made of indigo-dyed blueprint cloth with smocking embroidery at the top. Each side of the apron features different embroidery so that it can be worn both for festive and more somber occasions. The apron is finely pleated and stitched in place. There were various traditional ways of wearing these aprons. Sometimes the threads that secure the pleats were removed to allow the apron to fan out, but often the threads were left in place and the apron was worn as shown. The most restrictive garment measurements have been provided above and if these are suitable than the other garments should also fit as they are more accommodating. Striking colors, impressive embroidery, and in particularly good condition overall. Other simpler variations of the local costume are available in our shop.