Embroidery of Kalocsa

 

The embroidery of Kalocsa belongs to folk embroidery groups which uses freehand drawings and mixed style of stitchings. This also means that in its peculiar style it is not bound to any form, color or stitching technique. Even amongst the rhythmically repeated motifs we can find variations. The character of the original folk embroidery of Kalocsa is, that in drawing and in color the same motifs twice can't appear. There is no well known folk artist in Kalocsa who will repeat exactly a motif.
If on an embroidery of Kalocsa the pattern is symmetrical and the motif repeats itself it is not an original folk art. Even if a pattern looks symmetrical at first glance, when examined in details one can see differences in the drawing and colors of the pattern as the picture below shows it clearly.


Multicolored embroidery. Apron (1935)
Photo Bakonyi Béla, from the book of Pécsiné, Ács Sarolta: "Kalocsa népmüvészete" (1970)

It is impossible to count the motives used in the folk art of Kalocsa because of the countless variations, but Veronika Kákonyi, of Szakmár, collected 529 basic motif.

The folk art in Kalocsa went through many changes the photos below can testify.

In the beginning the Kalocsa embroidery was white and they used eyelet-embroidery

 

Mrs.István Pandur folk artist grandmother made this népi iparm¶vész nagymamája által készített lyukhímzéses és madeirával kombinált párna
(A barnított képen nagymamáját és édesapját láthatjuk 1915-ben.)

Kati Fejér :Kalocsa Kincse book 2006

 

Pamudáskendõ (1890)
fotó: Bakonyi Béla, Ács Sarolta: Kalocsa népmüvészete (1970) könyvéböl.

Scarf (1890)
Photo Bakonyi Béla, from the book of Pécsiné, Ács Sarolta: "Kalocsa népmüvészete" (1970)

A szinesedés a bordó sárga és a zöld szin bevonásával folytatodott

Párna végek
Pandur Istvánné népi iparm¶vész munkája
Fejér Kati: Kalocsa Kincse könyvébõl
Scarf (1890)
Photo Bakonyi Béla, from the book of Pécsiné, Ács Sarolta: "Kalocsa népmüvészete" (1970)


Embroidery from the beginning of 20th century. Shirtsleeve.
Photo Bakonyi Béla, from the book of Pécsiné, Ács Sarolta: "Kalocsa népmüvészete" (1970)

Szomorúpamukos kötény, részlet
Gál Tamásné munkája
Fejér Kati: Kalocsa Kincse könyvébõl

A 20. századi kiteljesedés

Cifrapamukos ingváll ujján lev? motívum.
Gál Tamásné munkája
Fejér Kati: Kalocsa Kincse cím? könyvéb?l

 

Chasubles made in Vancouver, using patterns of the folkart of Kalocsa
 Magyarok Nagyasszonya Katolikus Templom


Details of chalice's covers




Hemp pillow case


I took the following pictures in stores in Kalocsa, July 1999.


Laces

Blue laces

Embroedery


Maris Kakas with head cover
Photo: Ferenc Draskovich 1932

This page was created in April 1999 and was renewed in December 2006 with the help of Kati Fejér, the author of Kalocsa Kincse book.

Kalocsa Wall painting Rökk K,

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