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COSTUMES
Czechoslovakia: Moravia, Kyjov or Ratiskovice
Apron (woman's)
1900 - 1930
Plain weave; Embroidered; Lace, bobbin; Resist dyed, plangi
Cotton; Vegetable dye (indigo); Linen
24 1/8 x 42 1/4 in. (61.3 x 107 cm) overall
Collected by Blanche Payne
TC 78.3-50

The naturalistic pattern of this apron produced with predominantly flat stitches, is characteristic of the western areas of Czechoslovakia. White, or some other light color, was generally sued in Czech embroidery designs to lessen the contrast between the other bright colors of the design. Red signifies health, beauty, and averts the evil eye. Originally blue was unpopular, it was difficult to obtain and was identified with bruises, the plague and death. Its popularity increased with the availability of indigo dyes. Similar pieces have been documented as dating from 1880. -- Label copy for The Elegance of Embroidery, October 11 - 28, 1988.

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