Female and Male

Unknown couple (late 19th century). The dark-coloured woman's dress contrasts with her white umbrella. The skirt is enriched with various layers or folds of fabric creating a double skirt, as well as horizontal and vertical pleats and ruffles. Corsets are used to achieve a good fit of the bodice and emphasise the curves of the body with enhancement of the bust and tightening of the lower part of the chest. The dress, modern for its time, is paired with traditional jewellery and a pendant watch. The man wears a fez in combination with an everyday western-style suit, comprising a white shirt, a light-coloured jacket and black trousers.

Π.Β.Κ7.36

Unknown couple

Unknown couple (1880s?). In the photograph of the couple, the man wears a fez in combination with a European suit, including a shirt under a long jacket, and trousers. The attire of the young woman standing next to him presents a rare appearance of the bell-shaped crinoline, old-fashioned for the time.

The wide European crinoline was worn internally, under the skirt, and had hoops or a wire frame assembled with woven horsehair (crin, from which the term crinoline is derived) or with cotton or linen thread. In Western fashion, the use of the crinoline was at its peak from the mid-19th century until around 1870, while in Cyprus it was in use during the 1860s.

Ν.Γ.Κ.Κ8.108

The Manzoloudes kindergarten (early 1910s). The two kindergarten teachers shown on the photograph, are the Manzoloudes sisters. They are similarly dressed with ankle-length skirts and blouses made of the same patterned fabric but in different designs. Their rich hair is gathered and adorned with ribbons. In the same photograph, at the back, stands a woman wearing a white blouse combined with a traditional headscarf, decorated with pipilla (needle lace). Children's attire principally consists of short dresses for girls, but also sailor suits.

Φ.Σ.Φ1.Φ1

Three children pose with seriousness in a studio. They stand attentively, their gaze fixed on the camera lens. The girls wear similar dresses that differ in colours, with impressive white lace collars that tie with bows. The boy wears white pants with a white shirt and a black belt.

Π.Β.Κ10.36

Wedding photograph of Elize Melikian, wearing a long sleeved weadding dress with ruffles and Girair Dervishan dressed with a black tuxedo with a white bow tie

Family portrait from Melikian familly photo album, the man is wearing a dark suit with a white dress shirt and matching tie, the woman is wearing a long dress with a pattern and short sleeves, while the child is dressed in a white knee-length, short-sleeved dress, matching shoes and socks and a bow in her hair.

Melik Melikian (1900-1980) dressed with a light coloured two pieces’ suit and a darker tie, son of Elize Boursayeressian and Artin Melikian with nieces of Anahid and Elize Melikian wearing short dresses and nephew Artin Melikian with a dark coloured jumpsuit.

Headscarf (tsemberi) made of fine cotton cloth (kouroukla), dyed in a dark vinegar colour known as xidin. It is decorated with printed floral motifs, composed of branches with leaves and flowers that are arranged diagonally along the edges of the headscarf, known as the kkenarin. The inner corners are adorned with neoclassical-style wreaths, a pattern known as milies. The headscarf is decorated with pipilla, a lace edging made of white and green silk thread and featuring a pattern of continuous tiny flowers.

The headscarf shows signs of wear and the colour has faded in some areas. In certain places the lace edging has come apart and there appear to have been attempts to repair it.

Dimensions: length 100 cm., width 100 cm.

Workshop of printed headscarves Evris Michael and Kakoullis Brothers, Nicosia.

Artin Melikian is wearing a light-colored two-piece suit with a matching tie, alongside his parents: Hairabed Melikian, dressed in a black suit with a white shirt and black tie, and Zabelle Melikian, wearing a black dress.

Artin Melikian is dressed in a short-sleeved children's outfit with knee-length pants, while his mother, Zabelle Melikian, is wearing a long-sleeved dress with a floral pattern and a dark-colored hat.