Limassol’s Municipal Museum of Folk Art

Men’s double-breasted vest (yelekkin) made of black velvet. The front part consists of two pieces that cross over the chest on both sides, with rows of black buttons arranged diagonally. There are eight buttons on one side, while only six are preserved on the other side. It features rich sewn-on decoration made of grey cord, forming spiral and lattice patterns in different combinations, including: a dense composition of spirals creating a wide band around the neck opening, various spiral patterns at the openings that correspond to the buttons, lattice pattern at the base of the buttons, and a simpler design in the form of a series of lozenges around the bottom edge of the vest. Internally, the opening of the neck/chest is reinforced with braid. On the right side of the chest, there is colorful triangular embroidered pattern.

The sarka (waistcoat) with a deep opening at the bust and long sleeves, is made of black velvet and shows rich decoration of applied (sewn-on) gold cords.  

Sarka, women’s short long-sleeved jacket made of black felt, with sewn-on decoration. The chest has a deep oval opening, which becomes straight at its lower part. Around the opening of the chest, all around the bottom edge and at the edges of the sleeves, there is a sewn-on decorative band of twisted cord and golden thread, which form continuous spirals of stylised floral motifs with a chain-like finish.

Sarka, women’s short long-sleeved jacket made of black felt, with sewn-on decoration. The chest has a deep oval opening, which becomes straight at its lower part. Around the opening of the chest, all around the bottom edge and at the edges of the sleeves, there is a sewn-on decorative band of twisted cord and golden thread, which form continuous spirals of stylised floral motifs with a chain-like finish.

Silver filigree buckle. It consists of three parts in the shape of a tulip. The central part, which is larger, is placed vertically and the other two horizontally. All three parts have a silver border and are covered with spiral patterns in filigree work. There is also applied decoration forming rosettes with inserted green stones, two in the middle part and one on each of the side parts.

The costume consists of ypokamison (chemise), foustani (dress), a headscarf and an apron for the waist, a bag and podines (boots).

The chemise is short and made of taiston cotton fabric (woven material with crinkled stripes running lengthwise). The fustani is made of striped cotton alatzia, with white and red stripes in the warp and a brown cotton weft. It is entirely hand-sewn and has a body with a large V-shaped opening, passing beneath the breast, which is covered by the chemise. The long sleeves are attached to the body by sleeve-seams, as in modern garments. The long skirt is gathered at the waist. A black woollen apron is tied around the waist. The head is covered by two square kerchiefs, one tied like a cap and the other worn loosely over it.

The podines (boots) come up to the middle of the thighs and are made of black leather with thick soles made of several pieces of leather.