The Tradition of Aristocratic Embroidery and its Continuation in Contemporary Embroidery Workshops

The aristrocratic embroidery is a special Hungarian embroidery style of the mid-16th century, which was shaped by a number of historical influences. It is characterised by a specific stitching technique, fine materials, embroidery threads and a complex sample collection, incorporating Western and Eastern influences. The embroidery was used to decorate the festive textiles of the royal court, the noble and aristocratic mansions, expensive costumes for festive occasions and church liturgical textiles.

The patterned embroidery on liturgical textiles associated with the religious practice of the Reformed Church was of particular importance. The value of folk embroidery was enhanced after the Second World War by the amateur folk art movement, which sought to develop folk art. This historical embroidery style was revived in the 1980s in embroidery workshops in Tokaj-Hegyalja and north-eastern Hungary: researching museum materials, redesigning original motifs, applying innovative solutions to the textiles producing today.

The researching the sample collection connecting to the aristrocatic embroidery still finds many followers in the contemporary folk craft communities and embroidery groups of the Carpathian Basin. The Folk Art Association of the Mountain Valley Masters (Hegyaljai Mesterek Népművészeti Egyesülete) is committed to safeguarding the heritage and bringing together embroidery circles in the Hungarian-speaking area.

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