Late 19th century, silk on a silk fabric foundation in excellent condition. 115cmx54cm.

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.

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, their culture and embroidery

For more photos see: http://www.kilim.ie/TRIBAL_ART_AND_ANTIQUES/Pages/19th_Century_Hungarian...

Please contact me if you would like more information.