Historical information

Donated by Mrs M.E. Bowley, from the collection of the late Dr. Georgina Sweet, who was the first woman veterinarian in Victoria and who travelled extensively in Middle Europe in the Early 20th century.
This traditional folk costume cap or bonnet headdress is possibly from the Balkan or Southern/Eastern European region.
It closely matches Croatian, Bosnian or Slovak folk dress (kroj). Flat linens were heavily embroidered, hemmed with handmade lace and precisely folded or structured over a frame to cover a married woman's hair.
It is heavily characteristic of Balkan and regional Slavic textile traditions.

Physical description

Cream cotton muslin with stylised pattern in terracotta, blue, green and black cross stitch. It is edged in a triangular, Armenian needle lace pattern and has a draw-cord to shape the cap.