Homespun Linen Head Scarf | West Polissya, Ukraine

Description

Origin: Ukraine | West Polissya | Rivne area
Era: Early 20th century (circa 1910-1930)
Condition: Good condition – minor stains and small spots; suitable for both wear and display
Measurements: approximately 34″ x 38″
Additional Notes: Traditional woman’s head scarf from Polissya worn by married women for both special and everyday occasions. Made from two widths of homespun linen cloth with cotton black and red threads used for the striped design. There were a variety of ways to tie these on the head depending on the village and occasion – one example is shown in the last image above. When not in use as part of a costume such a scarf could also have been used for carrying goods or tying up items for storage in the house, although one in such good condition would likely not have been relegated to secondary uses.