Hungarian Matyó Embroidery

Late 19th century Hungarian Matyó embroidery

Hand embroidered silk on a silk fabric foundation, in excellent condition. 115cmx54cm. 

In 2012 Matyó embroidery, traditionally practiced as a communal activity, was made a UNESCO Intangible Cultural World Heritage. See http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/RL/00633 for more information on the Matyó. 

The Matyó settled in the Mezőkövesd area of N. E. Hungary following Turkish invasions in their original homelands in Hungary and Slovakia. They established themselves as a distinct ethnic group in the late 1800s and legend says that they are descended from bodyguards of King Matthias, whose Renaissance court inspired their tradition of fine embroidered textiles.

For more photos see www.kilim.ie