Large embroidered pieces from rural Transylvania

Some large embroidered panels from the Kalotaszeg ( Calatea) region of Transylvania, Romania

Transylvania, commemerative embroideries

Its been a while since i have posted here. I have just returned from a trip to the Kalotaszeg region of Transylvania, Romania and thught I would share some images of embroideries. First up is a church in the small village of Magyarvalko. A beautiful fortifed church on top of a hill in this tiny village.


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Embroidered Mangle Board Cover

Lovely old cross stitch embroidered mangle board holder . This piece is from the Kalotaszeg region of Transylvania. Faded red cross stitch on hemp, this piece dates from the 19th century. In the days before irons and metal mangles wooden mangle boards were used to flatten linen.  These wooden mangles were usually handcarved  by young men, sometimes as gifts for their bride to be, they often had intricate carved designs and have become collectors items in their own right.  There is more information on the history of the mangle board here

More images of textiles from the Transylvania dowry bed

I have posted about this dowry bed form a village in Transylvania previously. I am now posting more images of the wonderful textiles. 

The dowry bed textiles consists of 2 mattress covers, 3 bed covers and 9 large embroidered pillow cases.

This is one of the bed covers. Woven using Kilim technique. Beautiful work. 

This is the second of the covers.Woven in a checked pattern. Hand embroidered in cross stitch.

 The third cover. Hand embroidered  cross stitch

The first of the mattress covers, caramel striped grain sack fabric with embroidered end

The body of the second mattress cover, the body has an area of damage. The embroidery is in excellent condition.

Beautifully embroidered pillow cases. 4 pairs and 1 single