Cyprus traditional textiles

Traditional textile production

• Weaving• Embroidery • Lace making

• Fabrics Threads- Cotton - Cotton - Silk - Silk- Linen

KaravasLapithos

Lefkara

Pafos - phitiotika

Karpasia

Keryneia

Mesaoria Lefkoniko

Morfou

Lefkaritiko

Origins in white embroidery - asproploumia – In all regions of Cyprus– White embroidery on thick cotton fabrics– Later on imported finer cotton– With cotton thread– Simple, geometric designs– Cut and drawn threads– Various hem stitches

Lefkaritiko

• Development of the white embroidery technique

• Influence of Venetian lace work techniquesCharacteristics

- cut threads- lace motifs worked separately- satin stitch motifs

Designs

• Main design – potamos (= river)• Produced by cutting and removing threads• Repetitive, triangular, zig-zag pattern • Filled with satin stitch motifs and cut work

designs• Combined with decorative hem stitch

KaravasLapithos

Lefkara

Pafos - phitiotika

Karpasia

Keryneia

Mesaoria Lefkoniko

Morfou

Phitiotiko weaving

• Area of Paphos• Strong colours• Geometrical designs• Floral designs & human figures in abstract

form

Other areas - weaving• Mesaoria – Lefkonoiko– Cotton textiles – Striped or checked– Bright colors

• Karpassia peninsula– Bright colors/ red or black– Fine silk for underwear

KaravasLapithos

Lefkara

Pafos - phitiotika

Karpasia

Keryneia

Mesaoria Lefkoniko

Morfou

Other areas - weaving

• Keryneia area - Lapithos & Karavas– Fine silks– Cotton textiles– Fine silks– Cotton textiles

• Morphou area– Linen for embroidery– Sheets and underwear in linen and cotton

KaravasLapithos

Lefkara

Pafos - phitiotika

Karpasia

Keryneia

Mesaoria Lefkoniko

Morfou

Embroidery

• Multicolored cross stitch– Pafos area– Basic colors

• Red cross-stitch– On linen– With silk thread

• Tsevredes – Headscarves or zostres– Silk thread

Lace production

• Venice lace– Italian designs

• Crochet lace – Karavas & Lapithos area / today Omodos

• Frivolite lace (fervolite) – tatting– Karavas / today Omodos

• Pipilla

Today

Conservation• Lefkaritiko - UNESCO• Cypriot Handicraft Center• Museums• Tourism Development

Julia Christoforou-Astraiou

And the future?