Ensemble
An outfit of a checked white blouse, a red-tasseled vest and a black skirt with vertical stripes: a layered festive costume from the Balkans. Full commentary ↓
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Ensemble is a textile by an unknown maker (late 19th or early 20th century) in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It measures 29.2 cm.
In the pictureA short vest with purple pompom trim is worn over a white blouse with a checked pattern, and below are a black skirt with red vertical stripes and a black overskirt. The sleeves are long, and the skirt ends below the knee. The list of materials includes wool, cotton, metallic thread, ramie, animal skin and even glass.
BackgroundFolk costumes of the Balkans and Eastern Europe were completed by layering several garments like this, and the colors and patterns of each part revealed the wearer's village and marital status. The materials are so varied because each part was made by a different craftsperson. The pompoms and glass beads add sound and sparkle with every movement.
Puzzle tipThe white blouse, purple pompoms, red-striped skirt and black overskirt separate clearly by color. Fit the pompom pieces of the vest and the striped pieces of the skirt first, then join the white blouse by the direction of its checks. 100 pieces work well.
- Classification
- Main dress-Womenswear
- Medium
- wool, cotton, metallic thread, ramie, animal skin, glass
- Dimensions
- 29.2 cm
- Credit line
- Gift of Burta May Taylor, in memory of her husband, Elliott J. Taylor, 1988
Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art ↗
Stories about this work
- Apron, Vest and Overcoat: Four Layered Costumes from the Balkans
An apron that was the centerpiece of an outfit rather than a practical cover for the skirt. Four Balkan costumes, each made from many materials in separate parts and worn in layers.
