Vest (yelekkin)

Double-breasted vest of blue figured velvet with black flowers. The front part consists of four pieces of fabric, of which the inner two, those which cross over the chest, are triangular. The back is made of a single piece of fabric, without an opening. On the right side of the chest, there is an internal pocket with an oval opening, decorated with black cord forming a zigzag line and loops. The joints, openings and bottom edge are decorated in a similar fashion, with zigzag lines and loops of black cord. There is off-white trim at the front opening and around the low standing collar. At the bottom edge of the inner triangular chest pieces, there are two loops which allow the waistcoat to close with buttons on both sides. The two buttons on the left side, one of which is on the inside, are later additions. The vest is lined with off-white cotton fabric.   Dimensions: height 42 cm., width 44 cm.   Donated by Nikos Triantafyllou. Purchased for 4.50 pounds in Cyprus.