Yelekkin (vest)

Yelekkin (vest) made of black velvet, double-breasted, with eight buttonholes and eight buttons arranged diagonally on each side. The front part consists of two pieces, decorated with dense embroidery of thin sewn-on black cord around the chest opening, and intricate stylised patterns (lozenges, spirals, lattice motifs, etc.) at the crossing and around the buttons, as well as at the edge of the vest.   On the right side, there is an external, vase-shaped pocket of black velvet, with a border of blue, green, orange, and brown cord. Above the chest, there is a small decorative motif made of fine cords forming a rectangular with lattice filling, a lozenge and spirals, in blue, green, and yellow colours.   The back is made of a single piece that continues below the armpits and joins the front pieces with coloured seams. There is a central opening extending vertically from the waist to the upper back; it closes with a red ribbon threaded through 16 eyelets. By tying the ribbon, the waistcoat can be better adjusted to the body. Sewn-on twisted cord of green, orange, and blue colours forms a decorative lattice pattern running along the opening and the lower hem of the back. A stylised double-headed eagle in the same colours is embroidered above the opening.   The vest is lined with off-white cotton fabric. The inner neck opening and lower part of the bust are reinforced with braid. Black lining behind the buttonholes, measuring 10 cm above and 7 cm below, provides extra reinforcement to the front opening. Two identical stamps of the manufacturer Georgios Filis are impressed on the off-white lining. Similar stamps are found on other vests in the collection.   Dimensions: height 41 cm., width 44 cm.   Donation: Chr. Koutlidou.