1890s Victorian Zmijanje Textile Trim

This 1890s folk embroidered trim hails from the Zmijanje region in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The embroidered ribbon is mounted on block-printed linen and has small stains about 7 inches from one end.

The set includes two cuffs, each measuring 2 1/4 x 11 5/8 inches, and a matching collar trim, which is 27 x 1 3/4 inches.

In 2014, Zmijanje embroidery was recognized by UNESCO and added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This embroidery is the first intangible cultural element from the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina to receive this honor. Since the mid-1800s, it has maintained its ornamental form. These pieces exemplify a specific technique practiced by the women of Zmijanje, a small village near Banja Luka, traditionally used to decorate female clothing and household items.