Kalocsa Hungarian Folkloric Embroidery

Being of Hungarian descent I have a fascination with the folk art and culture of the Magyars. Enjoy the beauty of it with me in these hubs.

Folk Dress

Hungary has a number of regional styles of embroidery, so characteristic from each other that that they can identify the region in which they were made. Of all the styles that developed one of the most popular is the Kalocsai designs full of many types of flowers and leaves in a rainbow of colors.

It is in competition for popularity with the Matyo roses and intensive stitching of a different region. Both are traditional Hungarian hand embroidery, but one, Kalocsa, is light and bright, and full of springtime.

Focusing On This Region's Style

This post concerns the style found in the Kalocsa area which is located in the Bács-Kiskun county of Hungary. The city is quite old, but the needlework has taken on a modern range of color that make the look very light and bright.

It is most often seen on a white ground, occasionally a black background is used.It is the most recognizable and well-known form of Hungarian needlework.

Stitches Transform Into The Flowery Forms

This style uses satin stitch, stem stitch, and french knots.

Samples Of Heavily Decorated Vests

A Flower Garden Of Colors And Motives

It looks like a virtual flower garden. With so many stylized versions of Grandma's flowers, the wide variety of colors are those might be found growing in a garden during spring and early summer. That might explain the allure of these patterns.

The colors seem to burst joyfully from the fabric.

Usual Color Combination

Many medium pastels with an emphasis on red and pink impart a youthful vibrancy. This is the default color palette. For young girls, and brides apparel, many household goods are also decorated in these hues.

"Szomorupamukos"

An alternate look, called the "sad colors", contain shades of purple and lavender... along with other harmonious colors. It is called "szomoru", meaning gloomy.To most of us, this is a gorgeous set of shades and anything but sad, yet it is the palette for older women to use for their colorful aprons and vests.

The All White Traditional Variation

Color Evolution

At first, all the embroideries of this region were done in white on white. Then as colorful threads became available, they became more of what we are familiar with today. The earliest colored embroideries date from the years 1904-1905. Non-fading colors were introduced circa 1912.

Careful Stitches

Richelieu or Riseliő style

Kalocsa regional embroidery often employed cutwork within table cloths, doilies, and edgings of items. This refers to the cutwork embroidery which snips out patterned holes and stitches them with a buttonhole stitch. Once very intricate and difficult, it is much simpler to make with modern machines.

It makes a very lacy looking effect which is highlighted with colorful satin stitch motives.

Broderie Anglaise

This was the manner in which fabrics were hemmed or accented before the Riseliő style became popular. It looks something like "eyelet lace" to my eyes. Believed to originated in the area of Hungary during the 16th century, it took its name from the popularity it found in England.

A Modern Example

Naturalistic

The flower patterns are taken from nature and made to look as natural as possible. As a gardener I recognize many of them.

If The Colors Aren't Vivid, It's Not Kalocsai

The Represented Flowers

Where in The World Is Kalocsa, Hungary?

Explore the Arts Of This Place

Decorated Capes

Patterns and Motives Of A Culture

Hungarians Love Decoration

It seems that everywhere you look in the area of this region there are decorated surfaces, The houses are painted with the identical flower forms and colors of the embroideries, the furnishings are decoratively painted, and of course, the household linens and the clothing are like fields strewn with flowers of every imaginable type.

The Hungarians have a field day with their patterned and colorful pictures filling the spaces of their everyday lives. It makes a lively look for interiors and exteriors!

In Kalocsai Mode

• Decorative Hungarian Folk Art Painting
  Hungarian folk painting covers walls and household items with the same intensive detail and color used in their embroideries. A decorative art tradition of brightly colored daily surfaces resulted.

Comments

RTalloni on March 30, 2016:

How beautiful all of this embroidery is! If I had to pick a favorite I would have to choose the all white with cutwork, but it's all gorgeous. The brightest colors would seem like spring year round, and the info behind the purples is interestingly thought provoking. Hungary's history made me think twice about it.

KonaGirl from New York on January 28, 2016:

OMG - The sad colors for me are beautiful "happy & magical" colors! I have always been fond of the white on white embroidery and the cut-out technique too but have never had the patience to do it myself. The embroidery techniques you have shared with us are so beautiful and I have found the history very interesting.

Claudia Mitchell on January 28, 2016:

Wow - This is just beautiful. I too like the "sad" colors, but I think they are all beautiful and the craftsmanship that goes into them is incredible. Thanks for introducing me to this embroidery.

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on January 28, 2016:

Beautiful and interesting hub!

I enjoy doing embroidery work and I loved going through your hub. These are neat and fine designs with very beautiful colour combination. Thank you for introducing the readers with a part of Kalocsa culture.

In India also embroidery work is very much appreciated and is a part of our culture and tradition.

Thank you for sharing! Pinned on my Art board!