Wedding dress

NameEnsemble

Artist Artist Not Recorded

Dateca. 1920

Place madeDebarsko Pole, North Macedonia, Balkan Peninsula/Southeast Europe, Europe

MediumCotton, wool, silk, rayon, metal, plastic

Credit LineGift of Bernard W. Ziobro; Gift of the Macedonian Arts Council

Object numberV.2018.14.1-10

ProvenanceThe Macedonian Arts Council, from 2007-2010, presented as a gift to the Museum of International Folk Art 25 ensembles of multiple pieces. While a small number of the pieces were purchased, the majority of the costumes were donated to the Arts Council by collectors based in the United States and Macedonia

DescriptionThe Debarsko Pole bridal dress changed significantly from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century. Whereas the chemise worn by the mannequin is a tube of fabric open on both ends and tied at the waist, the older chemise had embroidered sleeves, a front opening, and white needlework on the hem. Unique in Macedonia, the sleeve embroidery was worked in drawn-thread netting. Here, detachable sleeves sewn from strips of velvet trimmed with lace and tapes have replaced the older sleeves. The other change was from a red to light red range of colors to the bright pink seen here. Craftsmen made the two vests, elek and preglak, and the short-sleeved coat, lepo zobanche, from home-produced and purchased fabrics (Young Brides, Old Treasures: Macedonian Embroidered Dress, edited by Bobbie Sumberg, 2011).

Parts of Ensemble: A.2010.6.40, Jacket: Lepo Zobanche, c. 1920
Parts of Ensemble: A.2010.6.41, Vest: Pregerlac, c. 1920
Parts of Ensemble: A.2010.6.42, Vest: Elek, c. 1920
Parts of Ensemble: A.2010.6.43, Apron: Lepa Bouca, c. 1920
Parts of Ensemble: A.2010.6.44, Sash: Dizgaya, c. 1920
Parts of Ensemble: A.2010.6.45ab, Sleevelets: R’kai kadifeni, c. 1920
Parts of Ensemble: A.2010.6.46, Cap: Capa, c. 1920
Parts of Ensemble: A.2010.6.47, Head Scarf: Darpna, c. 1920
Parts of Ensemble: A.2010.76.31, Waist scarf: Predsobnica, c. 1920
Parts of Ensemble: A.2010.76.32, Chemise: Koshula, c. 1920