***PLEASE READ***: All Sales are final! All Patron of Dreams products are vintage, antique or pre-used, so there may be minor imperfections or flaws, as is the nature of second-hand items. Any notable flaws are included in the product descriptions. Please read descriptions and measurements carefully before purchasing. Patron of Dreams has a no returns policy!
- This is a cultural artifact, made to be worn, lived in, understood and celebrated!
- Vintage (nearly antique) 1930's heirloom Slavic embroidered dress
- Hand made in Ukraine with homespun natural un-dyed hemp linen (soft, heavy, breathable). Hand sewn and hand embroidered with red and black down both arms and on chest. One of a kind!
- The Slavic folk art of embroidery carries many symbols and meaningful codes from the ancient ancestry of the Slavic peoples of different Eastern European regions, long before Christianity. Many of these values and symbols survived religious conversion and continue to be used today. Much of the symbolism depicts elements of nature, the land, family, balance of masculine and feminine, and protection of loved ones. Most of these symbols were created centuries ago, at a time when our ancestors had a very close magical connection with nature, to provide with wearer with an amulet "written" in ancestral code.
- On this dress, the large red X's and crosses (+) embroidered down the sleeves signify the intersection of the earthly and spiritual realms as a symbol of protection. X's also symbolize harmony of the four elements: earth, air, fire and water. The diamonds are symbols of fertility and balance, representing 2 triangles (one male, one female), and the fertility of the land.
- This dress features bold red and black embroidered sleeves, and wrist cuffs. Very skilled fabric gathering and stitching details at neckline and wrist cuffs, and white buttons and button loops to fasten at the wrists.
- A notable feature is an incredibly unique repeating embroidery design on the bibbed chest piece that closes at the neckline with a button and loop. Based on the 1930's era of this piece, it looks possible that the embroidery on the chest is a repeating map of Ukraine during that time, with central Ukraine in Red. It's also noteworthy, that the highest percentage of deaths in Ukraine during the 1933-34 famine called Holodomor, caused by the Soviet Union's forced collectivization of agriculture in the 30's, was in the central red area. While it's impossible to know for sure what the woman who embroidered this dress was intending, it is clear that all the X's and +'s indicate a high intention of protection for the wearer!
- Cut in the traditional loose and wide tunic style with bibbed neckline that opens as a flap, and large straight cut sleeves. Would traditionally be warn with a skirt over top, but is often worn casually belted or loose as a dress or night shirt in modern times.
- Size Small-XLarge depending on desired fit. Please refer to the measurements (taken flat) for most accurate fit.
- Measurements:
- shoulders: are 17" across
- Shoulder to pit: 10"
- chest/bust: 50" (25" across, doubled)
- waist: 56"
- hip: 56"
- neck opening (buttoned): 6" across (12" around)
- wrist cuff: 3" across (buttoned up)
- arm length: 29" (from neckline to cuff)
- length of dress: 42" (from shoulder to bottom hem)
- In very good vintage/antique condition. Lots of photos are provided. The homespun hemp linen shows the imperfections of being homemade. By handmade heirloom standards, this adds to the value and specialness of the piece. This piece shows some signs of its age and use, with well scrubbed, faded discolourations, spot staining (most notable near the front hemline), a small hole and fray at the front hemline, and thinning spot on the upper right side. It has been cleaned, but further long soaking could potentially lift the stains out if you'd like to try. As you can see in the un-edited photos (hanging), it still presents beautifully and is strong, clean, and wearable. Selling AS IS, and priced to reflect imperfections and one of a kind status.
- A gorgeous piece of Slavic heritage all the way from Eastern Europe. A wonderful heirloom piece, ready to wear, keep well and pass down through the ages. A true one of a kind, handmade treasure from nearly a century ago!