Profile of a master crafts woman

Eniko lives in Budapest, Hungary and  has been hand making braids and trimmings for many years. Traditionallly used on aristocratic and national Hungarian dress these braids are hand crocheted traditionally in gold or silver threads. Eniko also makes matching buttons. She is one of the few craftspeople skilled in these techniques. You can see more about her braids and buttons here

 As well as braids Eniko also embroiders crests and emblems

Eniko has a wealth of knowledge about the textile traditons of Hungary and Transylvania. She is an expert embroiderer and restorer. Here is some of  her work

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

An interesting piece

This is a beautifully worked piece. It belongs to one of my suppliers in Transylvania. Unsuprisingly he is hanging onto it! The lower inscription translates as " sewn in 1916 during the 1st world war"  It's in excellent condition. The pictures could be better but I think they give you an idea

Indigo dye printing blocks

There is a tradition of Indigo dyeing in  Hungary. Several workshops continue to dye and resist dye using traditional techniques and equipment.

The following are original indigo dye printing blocks. 140 pieces in total. These blocks were made with metal ribbon and nails and used to apply the wax like substance which would be overdyed. The wax like substance would then  be removed to reveal the patterns in the original colour of the cloth These pieces come from a workshop in Hungary. They are for sale in one lot.  Enquires; textiles@parna.co.uk