Peasant costume fragment
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Wool on canvas
Dimensions
L. 4 x W. 3 5/8 inches (10.2 x 9.2 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Embroidered
Culture
Albanian or Montenegrin
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1909
Accession Number
09.50.195
Art Historical Context
This delicate fragment of a peasant costume, embroidered with wool on canvas,ails from the 18th or 19th century and measures just 4 by 3⅝ inches. Likely originating from Albanian or Montenegrin culture, it exemplifies the rich textile traditions of Balkan rural communities. Such small pieces often came from larger garments like vests, aprons, or sashes, where embroidery served both practical and decorative purposes, adorning everyday wear with patterns that conveyed cultural identity and regional pride. The technique of wool embroidery on canvas highlights the skill of anonymous artisans—typi...