spelena
Polish Embroidery
Polish Embroidery. Threads of the past.
Embroideries of Poland are as varied as the ethic m ake-up o f its people. Ranging from brightly-coloured and Whitework floral designs, sashes, and white rabbit fur lined embroidered coats and hats to Goldworked religious robes, many examples can still be seen today either in Poland or in the adopted countries of Polish emigrants.
With a population of just under 40 million, Poland is bordered on the north by the Baltic Sea, and from the east to the south-west, by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania and Russia. The
history of Poland has been likened to the story of the phoenix, the miraculous bird that dies in fire every
thousand years only to rise once more. Since 1772, Poland has been partitioned and annexed by Russia,
Austria and Prussia.
However the establishment of the Kingdom of Poland in 1815, peasant revolts
throughout the 1800s, WWI, the Russian Revolution, dictatorial reigns, WWII and finally the dissolution of the Soviet Union have all left their mark on this country. The word ‘Pole’ means ‘lowlander’ or ‘plain-dweller’ and apart from the southern mountainous region, the remainder of the country is relatively flat by European standards.
The Polish people are the western branch of the ‘Slavic’ people who were driven northward, firstly by the Romans and then the Avars (Hungary) until they settled in the land along the river Vistula.
Polish Embroidery
Polish Embroidery. Threads of the past.
Embroideries of Poland are as varied as the ethic m ake-up o f its people. Ranging from brightly-coloured and Whitework floral designs, sashes, and white rabbit fur lined embroidered coats and hats to Goldworked religious robes, many examples can still be seen today either in Poland or in the adopted countries of Polish emigrants.
With a population of just under 40 million, Poland is bordered on the north by the Baltic Sea, and from the east to the south-west, by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania and Russia. The
history of Poland has been likened to the story of the phoenix, the miraculous bird that dies in fire every
thousand years only to rise once more. Since 1772, Poland has been partitioned and annexed by Russia,
Austria and Prussia.
However the establishment of the Kingdom of Poland in 1815, peasant revolts
throughout the 1800s, WWI, the Russian Revolution, dictatorial reigns, WWII and finally the dissolution of the Soviet Union have all left their mark on this country. The word ‘Pole’ means ‘lowlander’ or ‘plain-dweller’ and apart from the southern mountainous region, the remainder of the country is relatively flat by European standards.
The Polish people are the western branch of the ‘Slavic’ people who were driven northward, firstly by the Romans and then the Avars (Hungary) until they settled in the land along the river Vistula.