Preserve for the future. Collection of 19th century Russian embroidery in the National Museum in Krakow

Anna Lebet-Minakowska

Abstract

The Textile Department of the National Museum in Cracow preserves a collection of Boyko embroidery originated from the village of Tarnawa Wyżna (on the San River). The pieces were acquired by the museum at the end of the19th century, just after they were being made. Some of them were given by Basil Sołłohub, the local parson. Boykos, who used to live in Poland for centuries, no longer exist as a distinct ethnographic group; there are only the remains of their material culture that are preserved in museums. The collection of embroidered pieces of garment, acquired from the Boykos themselves when they were still thriving is an important sign of their art.

Keywords:

Bojkowie, haft, strój