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4 items

National costumes from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Period
19th and 20th centuries
Number of Cases
1085
The collection was formed after the establishment of the Ethnographic Museum in 1901.
The main goal was to present the customs and costumes of Serbs and other peoples of the Balkans at world exhibitions. Men's, women's and children's costumes of the Serbian, Muslim and Catholic population were bought.

In multi-ethnic environments, the costume represented an important sign of the ethnic and religious affiliation, identity, status and wealth of the person who wears it. It was made from natural materials, and decorated most often with the skill of local artisans - terzija (tailor of folk costumes), abadžija (tailor of costumes made of coarse cloth) and kazaz (master of making silk items and ornaments).

The collection consists of 1085 items.

The curator in charge of the collection is Dr.Tatjana Mikulić, museum advisor: tatjana.mikulic@etnografskimuzej.rs
Men's jelek vest with buckles
Inv. No. 5865
Women's jelek vest
Inv. No. 46749
Women's gloves
Inv. No. 46738
Female zubun – formal dress
Inv. No. 41409
Socks
Inv. No. 32557
Women's gunjic – vest
Inv. No. 16551
Men’s gunjic – vest
Inv. No. 3902
Belt with carnelian stones – okovanik
Inv. No. 38743
Hat
Inv. No. 39211
Apron
Inv. No. 39691
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Men's jelek vest with buckles

Inv. No. 5865
Vests with buckles were widespread in the Dinaric regions as part of men's formal attire. The pucad (a type of button) were handcrafted (by goldsmiths), while the vest itself was sewn by a tailor (who specialized in traditional clothing).

Jajce, central Bosnia
Mid-19th century

Women's jelek vest

Inv. No. 46749
A short women's vest made of velvet, completely trimmed with golden and silk braid.

Sarajevo, central Bosnia
Late 19th century

Women's gloves

Inv. No. 46738
Large gloves with one finger were part of formal women's attire. They were knitted with two-ply multicolored wool and decorated with appliqués of short tassels, white beads, and metallic sequins.

Sarajevo, central Bosnia
20th century

Female zubun – formal dress

Inv. No. 41409
A long woolen zubun (a sleeveless women's dress) was an integral part of formal women's attire. It was richly decorated with appliqués of red and green wool, embroidery with multicolored silk and cotton threads, metallic sequins, and glass beads.

Herzegovina
Late 19th century

Socks

Inv. No. 32557
Made from naturally colored wool. They are decorated with multicolored geometric patterns. The fingers are adorned with a motif of larger diamonds, while the heel and foot are decorated with black and brown dots.

Konjic, northern Herzegovina
First half of the 20th century

Women's gunjic – vest

Inv. No. 16551
A women's gunjić (short cloak) was made between the two World Wars. It is waist-length, with the edges trimmed with cotton golden thread.

Nevesinje, central Herzegovina
First half of the 20th century

Men’s gunjic – vest

Inv. No. 3902
A part of the ceremonial men's attire. It was worn over a džemadan (a thin vest) and under a gunj. Made of wool, it is decorated along the edges with woolen thread, and the surface is adorned with čoja (a type of cloth) and thread.

Sarajevo, central Bosnia
Late 19th century

Belt with carnelian stones – okovanik

Inv. No. 38743
This valuable piece of attire or jewelry was worn by Serbian brides and women on festive occasions. It is heavy and massive, made from thick cattle leather, and the entire outer surface is decorated with brass plates, featuring 38 large oval pieces of semi-precious carnelian stones.

Herzegovina
19th century

Hat

Inv. No. 39211
The brim is made of black cotton fabric, while the crown is crafted from cherry-colored broadcloth. It is decorated along the base with embroidery in white and yellow metallic threads and sequins. The ornaments are geometric and stylized: three circles and a flower. This piece is part of festive women's attire.

Eastern Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Second half of the 19th century

Apron

Inv. No. 39691
A type of apron, knee-length, featuring narrow horizontal stripes, decorated with zigzag-cut and silk-embroidered multicolored ribbons, woolen braids, and pompoms (round tassels) made of orange and blue wool. It was part of a festive girl’s traditional costume.

Glamoč, Central Bosnia
Late 19th and early 20th century
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