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Gallery of Embroidery, a "dictionary" :
............................................. The Sun
................................................................ The Ladies of Fertility >>>>>>>
................................................................ Birds >>>>>>>
................................................................ The Sun Boat/Chariot >>>>>>>
The ancient designs are alive even now >>>
(traditionally embroidered things we use in everyday life)

...Russian village people thought the Sun was the cause of exictence of the world. The word "sun" derives from Sanskrit word "su" ("to create", "to give birth") ... ..........................more >>>>>>
  • From:
    Olonets region
  • Time:
    the end of the 1800's.
  • What is it:
    towel edge.
  • Technique:
    "painting" combined with feather and cross stitshing.
  • Acquired by:
    1939's ethnographic expedition in Karelia.
    • Main pattern is a solar wheel with "Trees of Life" in corners.
    Upper frieze : minor solar rosettes, down frieze : "Trees of Life" separated by "sun birds".


  • From:
    Oryol region, Sredne-Novosilsk district.
  • Time:
    1890s.
  • What is it:
    towel edge.
  • Technique:
    cross and feather stitch.
  • Author:
    Bykovskaya E.Z., peasant woman.
    • the major all-over pattern consists of large hooked diamond forms containing saltire crosses. Seen in corners "trees of Life".
    Frieze: "Trees of Life", minor solas rosettes, and "Holy Water" (white zig-zag in a calico stripe).


  • From:
    Olonec region, Kargopol district.
  • Time:
    the beginning of the 1800's.
  • What is it:
    shoulder-piece from a woman's shirt.
  • Technique:
    counted threadwork and feather stitch.
  • Acquired from:
    M.Yakunchikoba and N.Davydova collection

    • The major design is of two saltire crosses forming pectinate and hooked diamonds.
    Frieze: swastikas and anthropomorphic figures (Rozhenicy godesses - Ladies of Fertility).


  • From:
    Olonec region.
  • Time:
    second half of the 1800's.
  • What is it:
    shoulder-piece from a woman's shirt.
  • Technique:
    counted threadwork, feather stitch, "painting"; picked out with spangles.
  • Acquired from:
    M.Yakunchikoba and N.Davydova collection

    • Incorporated in the major all-over pattern are squares, diamond-forms, rosette-filled octagons and solar signs.
    Repeat motif of anthropomorphic figures (Rozhenicy godesses) and swasticas are seenin the border.
    Arranged in the frieze are two confronted peacocks on either side of a highly stylized Tree of Life.


  • From:
    Olonec region, Kargopol district
  • Time:
    the beginning of the 1800's.
  • What is it:
    shoulder-piece from a woman's shirt.
  • Technique:
    counted threadwork, feather stitch, "painting"; picked out with spangles.
  • Acquired from:
    M.Yakunchikoba and N.Davydova collection

    • The major all-over design included a central rosete-filled octagon accompanied by boat- and cross-shaped forms, swastikas, rosettes and birds.
    The border is filled with swastikas and anthropomorphic figures (Rozhenicy godesses).
    Arranged in the frieze are two confronted peacocks on either side of a highly stylized Tree of Life.


  • From:
    Olonec region, Kargopol district
  • Time:
    the beginning of the 1800's.
  • What is it:
    shoulder-piece from a woman's shirt.
  • Technique:
    counted threadwork, feather stitch, "painting"; picked out with spangles.
  • Acquired from:
    M.Yakunchikoba and N.Davydova collection

    • A regular net with four-petaled rosettes within each diamond is framed by anthropomorphic figures (Rozhenicy godesses), diamonds with latch hooks and swastikas.
    Set in the frieze is a formalized female figure (Mother of the World) holding peacocks in uprised arms.


  • From:
    Olonec region, Kargopol district
  • Time:
    the beginning of the 1800's.
  • What is it:
    shoulder-piece from a woman's shirt.
  • Technique:
    counted threadwork, feather stitch, "painting"; picked out with spangles.
  • Acquired from:
    M.Yakunchikoba and N.Davydova collection

    • A regular diamond-shaped net containing four-petalled rosettes is the major pattern enframed by swastikas and plant subjects.
    The frieze ornamentation is of a highly formalized Tree of Life.


  • From:
    Olonec region, Kargopol district
  • Time:
    the beginning of the 1800's.
  • What is it:
    shoulder-piece from a woman's shirt.
  • Technique:
    counted threadwork, "painting"; picked out with spangles.
  • Acquired from:
    M.Yakunchikoba and N.Davydova collection

    • The ornamental panel contains various diamond-forms and anthropomorphic figures in half-length.
    The border is composed of S-shaped forms and Rozhenicy goddesses as Elks (horizontal border) and Mothers (vertical border).


  • From:
    Olonec region, Kargopol district
  • Time:
    the beginning of the 1800's.
  • What is it:
    shoulder-piece from a woman's shirt.
  • Technique:
    counted threadwork, "painting"; picked out with spangles.
  • Acquired from:
    M.Yakunchikoba and N.Davydova collection

    • The main pattern is a regular diamond-shaped net containing four-petalled rosettes.
    The framing ornamentation shows Rozhenicy goddesses and stylized elk's heads (the "Ladies of Fertility" pattern: look here).