white

Part of a female costume consists of a sayia and a white shirt. The 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.

Ind. no. 301: Long and narrow shawl or belt made of thin, transparent silk fabric, embroidered with metallic and silk threads in a satin stitch. All around the edges there are branches with alternating off-white and light blue, stylised leaves with gold flowers. The slender hair-like stamens of the flowers have white and light-blue ends. The dominant motif at the two narrow sides is the tuğra (sultan's monogram) accompanied by a star, while there is also a star and crescent symbol in each corner, all gold-embroidered. A metal thread finish extends all around. This is an Ottoman work of extremely delicate craftsmanship.

It was bought by the descendants of the Sivitanides family in Limassol.

Dimensions: Width: 60 cm. Length: 234 cm.

Loukis Pierides bought belts with tsevres embroidery from Mrs. Lewis.

Ind. no. 31: Belt with double-sided embroidery on both narrow sides. The design consists of four columns with stylised, almost geometric flowers in a vertical arrangement. At the end of the outer narrow side, there is a thin band of embroidery in alternating colours, while along its three outer sides the embroidery is defined by a narrow border that reaches a little above its height. The standardisation of the design is in contrast with the polychromy.

Dimensions: Width: 21 cm. Length: 208 cm.

Ind. no. 30: Belt made of two pieces of linen, joined in the middle. The same composition of two facing birds with similar plumage, standing on the base of a tall fountain, is embroidered on both ends. The fountain standing between the birds, constitutes the central axis of the composition. A small, stylised bird is sitting on top of the fountain, accompanied by two other, similar birds, one under each larger bird. This central design is bordered on three sides by a wavy garland featuring flowers with colours alternating per pair, light blue and oil green. These colours also dominate the central composition, along with pink, pomegranate, beige, gold thread and metallic thread. The tight stitch gives the impression of fil tiré. The same design is found with minimal variations and a range of colours in belts from Bursa (Ther 1993, 212, 213).

Dimensions: Width 20-22 cm. Length: 196 cm.

Ind. no. 27: An almost square headscarf, decorated with flowers that sparsely cover the entire surface, arranged around a central flower in a wreath of buds. Soft colours are accentuated with bright oil green and deep red. The edges are decorated with pipilla (needle lace) made from light brown cord (the design and arrangement are comparable to, among others, the embroidery of Istanbul with a similar straight and pressed stitch, at the National History Museum of Athens: Greek Embroidery 1989, 88, no. 90. See also turban cover: Berker, s.a., 295, 1/70).

Dimensions: 46 x 53 cm.

Ind. no. 24: Long and narrow belt of two pieces of woven fabric joined in the middle, with embroidery at both ends. The depicted theme is a stylised tree with branches extending horizontally in two different levels on both sides of the trunk. Vertical, leafy branches extend  downwards in a herringbone pattern. They are repeated in a smaller size at the border that surrounds the tree on three sides. Empty spaces of the composition are filled with four small floral motifs. The ground from which the tree emerges is rendered with absolute stylisation. Soft, natural shades (brown, oil green) are combined with a little pink, light blue, and gold. A tree with a similar but less standardised arrangement of branches is found in a tsevres from Bursa (Ther 1993, 211).

Dimensions: 18-24 x 198 cm.

Ind. no. 23: Long and narrow belt made from two pieces of woven taisto fabric joined in the middle, and decorated with embroidery at both ends. Emerging from a disproportionately small vase is a vine with leaves and grapes, and with a large inclining flower at the top. The composition is surrounded on three sides by a similar vine with leaves and grapes. The pattern is entirely stylised and symmetrical, embroidered with a tight single stitch (misovelonia, half cross stitch, namely of one diagonal arm of a full cross stitch) that gives the impression of fil tiré. The colours of the decoration are vivid, in silk and gold.

Dimensions: 15/20 x 212 cm.

An undergarment made of off-white cotton. It is sleeveless and features a loose-fitting, slightly flared design. The upper part of the garment is adorned with intricate crochet work. Wide crochet straps extend over the shoulders. Within the straps, there are small, repeating floral and looped motifs. The stitching incorporates rows of tightly woven, linear patterns interspersed with small openwork sections. The edges of the crochet, especially around the straps and upper bodice, feature a scalloped border with subtle floral and geometric elements. The bodice includes horizontal crochet detailing, providing structure and an elegant design contrast to the plain lower fabric.The main body of the garment is made of smooth, plain fabric without additional decorative elements. The bottom hem is simple and neatly stitched without embellishments.

The apron features two distinct rows of colorful red embroidery: The first row, located near the gathered waist area, consists of small floral motifs, possibly stylized flowers or leaves, embroidered in red and accented with blue. The second row, located near the bottom hem, mirrors the floral pattern but is slightly denser, creating a more vibrant and striking design. The bottom edge of the apron is decorated with a delicate lace trim. A small, practical pocket is stitched onto the right side of the apron. It is gathered and trimmed with a simple border, matching the overall aesthetic.

Blouse with detailed embroidery is made of off-white cotton. The blouse features a round neckline with a small opening at the front, fastened by six pairs of buttons (orange, blue, and white). The buttons add a functional and decorative element to the piece. The back of the blouse is simple, with no further decoration. The key feature of this blouse is the colorful embroidery that runs down the center. The embroidery consists of geometric shapes, such as diamonds and crosses, in various colors including orange, green, pink, and blue. The blouse has long sleeves, with a delicate lace trim at the cuffs. The sleeves are slightly loose, with subtle pleating near the shoulder area.