Romanian Folkloric Textile Late XIX

This late XIX apron skirt is a classic example of a vâlnic (skirt) from the region of Oltenia in southern Romania. The alternation of vertical bands of deep navy blue, brick red and forest green separated by delicate white and yellow stripes are characteristic of the oltennian traditions of hand weaving.  In the late 19th and early 20th century, it became very fashionable in southern Romania to accentuate the bottom of the woollen skirts woven from house with a wide band of imported black velvet. Hand-applied metal rolls, silver-plated metal beads and glitter arranged in floral scrolls were signs of prestige and wealth, usually worn for weddings, Sunday dances and large festivals. The deep purple/magenta scalloped border on the hook, which emerges from the bottom edge, was highly valued in Romanian folk dresses for creating a neat finish.