Limassol’s Municipal Museum of Folk Art

Traditional silver-gilt earrings of Cypriot craftsmanship. They consist of two parts connected through two small intersecting rings. The upper part, which is attached onto the wire hook fastening, features three leaves in repoussé work with an inserted blue stone at their base. The lower part consists of a hanging filigree drop from which small spherical filigree beads are suspended.

Silver-gilt pendant comprising a chain of spherical filigree beads (toutounia), and a filigree cross. The arms of the cross consist of four drop-shaped elements, soldered to a central rosette-shaped part.The fourth element is connected, through a ring, to the chain, actually to a spherical filigree bead in the middle of the chain, which consists of a series of smaller filigree beads (toutounia).

Foustanin, cotton dress made of striped alatzia fabric. Red, yellow,  and black stripes are formed in the weft against a white background. The garment comprises a wide skirt and a separate bodice, which are joined at the waist. The back consists of a single piece of fabric, with a seam at the back of the shoulders. At the front, two separate pieces, sewn to the sides, form a deep opening, which leaves most of the chest uncovered and continues with a vertical slit reaching just below the waist. The opening closes with three hook-and-eye clasps. The sleeves are narrow and long, with the stripes of the fabric arranged in a horizontal position. Their edge is adorned with a sewn-on brown cord.

Female, festive sayia from Karpasia, made of thick cotton cloth. The garment is adorned with white embroidery and threaded beads. It was worn over a chemise.

The back and front parts consist of a single fabric panel. At the front, a vertical slit extends all the way down. A deep opening is also formed at the bust, leaving a large part of the chest uncovered. Just below the chest, the sayia closes with  loops and buttons. 

The long and narrow sleeves, sewn vertically to the shoulders, have two additional triangular pieces joined diagonally below each armpit to facilitate movement. The back part below the neck is  lined with white cotton fabric; the same applies for the part surrounding the chest opening, which is embellished with white embroidery in delicate scrolls or zigzag patterns, enriched with threaded red and green petroues (beads). The same embroidery covers the seams of the sleeves at the shoulders and, in a thinner band, the shistres (side openings) of the sayia. Threaded beads decorate also the openings of the sleeves.

Double-breasted zimbouni made of thick white cotton cloth. The garment is adorned with white embroidery and threaded beads.

Long vest (yelekkin) made of cotton striped cloth (alatzia), with alternating stripes in the following order: brown, white, green, white, red, white, green, white and brown. The front part consists of two pieces, while the back is made of a single piece joining at the sides, under the armpits, the two front pieces. There is a small standing collar and embroidery around the openings.

Foustanin, cotton dress made of striped alatzia fabric. Red, green, yellow, orange, and black stripes are formed in the weft against a black background. The garment comprises a wide skirt and a separate bodice, which are joined at the waist.

The white shirt is made of taisto fabric, with lengthwise puckered bands created by warp threads of two different tensions. There is a vertical opening at the chest.

Women’s headscarf made of kouroukla, dyed in a deep red colour called tzeramidin. It is decorated with printed floral motifs in red and yellow, with black outline. The designs – of the edges (kkenarin) and the four corners (the milia) – are similar to those of other printed headscarves of the workshop of Evris Michael (or Euripides Mantilaris) and Kakoullis Brothers. The edges of the headscarf are decorated with pipilla (lace). The pattern features tiny white flowers with green leaves, repeated in a row.

The headscarf shows signs of wear, and repair indicates that the pipilla lace had come apart in some places. Despite this, the clarity of its motifs and the brightness of its colours are well preserved. Similar samples exist in the National Historical Museum in Athens (Gangadi et al. 1999, 178, fig. 179, 180), in the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia, in the Historical and Folklore Museum of Corinth, in the Municipal Museum of Folk Art in Limassol, as well as in private collections.

A sleeved waistcoat (zimbouni) made of cotton alatzia with burgundy and yellow stripes. The neck features a low standing collar. The front consists of two pieces, while the back is made of a single piece of fabric. The sleeves are sewn vertically to the body.

Men's double-breasted vest. The front part consists of two pieces of grey silk fabric, while the back is made of a single piece of black velvet. On the right front side, there is a vase-shaped pocket outlined with orange, yellow, green and red threads. The vest is fastened across the chest with six buttons. It is adorned all around with black braid, which also surrounds the buttonholes, while a wide sewn-on decorative trim accentuates the neck opening.

Double-breasted vest with a standing collar. The front consists of four pieces of imported purple silk fabric The vest has a small triangular opening on the chest and fastens diagonally on the left side with a black cord. All the openings are adorned with soutache. At the edge of the front opening, there is a series of loops made of cord, forming a festoon pattern. Each arm opening, is decorated with a black tassel. The right side features an internal pocket with soutache at the opening.