1800s Zmijanje Trim From Bosnian Men’s Folk Shirt

Zmijanje Embroidery trim from a 19th-century Bosnian men’s folk shirt.

This rare, museum-quality, embroidered trim originates from the Zmijanje region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, renowned for its rich tradition of deep indigo-blue geometric embroidery, a craft honored by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Dating from circa 1870–1890, this trim was traditionally used to adorn the collar and cuffs of a men’s folk shirt (košulja) featuring a distinctive side-opening (asymmetrical) collar style, typical of the region’s male garments.

The set includes two cuffs measuring approximately 2 1/4 by 11 5/8 inches and one collar trim measuring approximately 27 by 1 3/4 inches. The trim has some small spots and signs of age consistent with its 19th-century origin, which do not detract from its overall beauty and historical value. Please see the images.

The narrow embroidered bands, stitched on natural linen, display classic Zmijanje motifs executed with precise, dense stitching in dark blue thread. This trim reflects the authentic ornamental style worn by men in rural Bosnia in the late 19th century, offering an exceptional opportunity for collectors and craftspeople to recreate traditional Balkan menswear with cultural and historical accuracy.

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