Greek Textiles in the Benaki Museum, Athens

The Benaki Museum in Athens is home to arguably the best collection of Greek embroideries and textiles from the Ottoman era. Here are some highlights from the the collection photographed in situ in July, 2017. Some images are clearly better renderings than others. Mouse over each image for a brief description. Please feel free to share these images but do credit The Benaki Museum and rugrabbit.com. Unless otherwise noted, images and compilation copyright rugrabbit.com.

 

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Ottoman era Embroideries from the city of Ioannina and the region of Epirus

Epirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, circa 1700, Benaki Museum, AthensEpirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, circa 1700, Benaki Museum, Athens
  

Epirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, circa 1700, Benaki Museum, Athens

Epirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, circa 1700, Benaki Museum, AthensEpirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, circa 1700, Benaki Museum, Athens
Epirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, circa 1700, Benaki Museum, AthensEpirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, circa 1700, Benaki Museum, Athens
Epirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, circa 1700, Benaki Museum, AthensEpirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, circa 1700, Benaki Museum, Athens
  

Epirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, 17th century, Benaki Museum, Athens

Epirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, 17th century, Benaki Museum, Athens

Epirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, 17th century, Benaki Museum, Athens

Epirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, 17th century, Benaki Museum, AthensEpirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, 17th century, Benaki Museum, Athens
Epirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, 17th century, Benaki Museum, AthensEpirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, 17th century, Benaki Museum, Athens
Epirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, 17th century, Benaki Museum, AthensEpirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, 17th century, Benaki Museum, Athens
Epirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, 17th century, Benaki Museum, AthensEpirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, 17th century, Benaki Museum, Athens
 Epirus Embroidery, Ottoman period, 17th century, Benaki Museum, Athens


Embroidered bed valance, decorated with an impressively complex representation. From Ioannina in Epiros. The five panels of the valance are embroidered all over with towers, horsemen, human figures, ships, flowerpots, peacocks and other birds, double-headed eagles, flowers and plants. The composition is undoubtedly narrative, although hard to interpret. 18th c. 0 .72x3.53 m. Gift of Beatrice Cook. (ΓΕ 6308) image and text copyright Benaki Museum

 

 

 

 

 Fragment of an embroidered valance for the adornment of an unknown kind of bridal bed. From Ioannina in Epiros. The diversified scene depicts, in a floral setting, towers and couples, flower vases, peacocks in fountains, and double-headed eagles. 18th c. 1.62x0.57 m. (ΓΕ 6307) image and text copyright Benaki Museum

Embroidery representing a women’s dance. Characteristic features of the women’s dress are the kavadi (a kind of dress-coat), the buckle of the belt and the tall head-dress, typical of the Epirot town costume. Among the dancers are two women wearing peasant costumes and holding a flower. From Epiros. Early 19th c. 0.47x1.15 m. (ΓΕ 12952) Image and text copyright Benami Museum

 

 Bridal cushion with wedding scene. From Ioannina in Epiros. It depicts the bride with her parents and the groom with his friend, both on horseback. The riotous floral ornaments, the attractive multi-coloured scenes, and the harmonious execution of the compositions with their distinctly painterly qualities are, from every point of view, characteristic of Epirot embroidery. 17th c. 0.40x1.40 m. Gift of Helen Stathatos. (ΓΕ 21173) image and text copyright Benaki Museum, Athens

Bridal cushion with wedding scene. It depicts the mounted procession of the groom. The riotous floral ornaments, the attractive multi-coloured scenes, and the harmonious execution of the compositions with their distinctly painterly qualities are, from every point of view, characteristic of Epirot embroidery. From Ioannina in Epiros, 18th c. 0.40x1.40 m. Gift of Helen Stathatos. (ΓΕ 21172), Image and text copyright Benaki Museum

Embroidered Epirus yastik / maxilari, 18th century, Benaki Museum Athens

Embroidered Epirus yastik / maxilari, 18th century, Benaki Museum Athens

Embroidered Epirus yastik / maxilari, 18th century, Benaki Museum Athens

 Embroidered Epirus yastik / maxilari, 18th century, Benaki Museum Athens

Embroidered Epirus yastik / maxilari, 18th century, Benaki Museum Athens

Embroidered Epirus yastik / maxilari, 18th century, Benaki Museum Athens

Epiros Embroidery, circa 1700, Benaki Museum Epiros Embroidery, circa 1700, Benaki Museum
embroidered towel, probably Ioannina, 18th century, Benaki Museumembroidered towel,probably Ioannina, 18th century, Benaki Museum
  

 

Embroidered textiles from Corfu / Kerkira, Lefkada, and the Ionian Islands

Embroideries from the Ionian Islands, Benaki Museum, Athens

Ionian Island embroidery, Benaki MuseumIonian Island embroidery, Benaki Museum
Ionian Island embroidery, Benaki Museum, probably Corfu / Kerkira, circa 1700Ionian Island embroidery, Benaki Museum
Embroidered cushion. A noble hunter is portrayed on horseback, with a falcon on his arm. The smaller-scale human figure on the haunches of his steed, however, would suggest he is connected to St George, the protector of Hellenism. From Lefkada, Ionian Islands, 17th-18th c. Gift of Panayiotis Lidorikis (ΓΕ 6268) Image and text copyright Benaki Museum                                  Bridal cushion embroidered in multicoloured silks and gold thread on a perforated background; the composition is dominated by a central winged female figure, the "good fairy", who shelters the bride and groom under her wings. The other motifs, consisting of stylised human figures, animals, birds and flowers are markedly smaller in scale and merely complement the decoration. From Lefkada, Ionian Islands, 17th-18th c. (ΓΕ 6262) image and text copyright Benaki Museum  Cushion with stylised floral and animal themes embroidered in cross-stitch. From Corfu in the Ionian Islands, 18th c. 0.54x0.50 m. (ΓΕ 6258) image and text copyright Benaki Museum

 

Ionian Island embroidery, Lefkada, circa 1700, Benaki Museum
Ionian Island embroidery, Benaki MuseumIonian Island embroidery, Benaki Museum
  

Embroideries, flatweaves and other textiles from the Island of Crete

Cretan embroideries, 17th-18th century, Benaki Museum

 

Cretan embroidery (detail), 17th century, Benaki Museu

Cretan embroidery (detail), 18th century, Benaki Museu

Cretan embroidery (detail), circa 17th century, Benaki Museu

Cretan embroidery, 17th century, Benaki MuseumCretan costume, 17th century, Benaki MuseuCretan embroidery cuff, 17th century, Benaki Museum
   
Cretan embroidery, circa 1700, Benaki MuseumCretan embroidered skirt (detail), circa 18th century, Benaki Museu
  

Cretan embroideries, circa 1800, Benaki Museum

Cretan embroideries, 18th/19th century, Benaki MuseumEmbroidered bedspread with multi-coloured foliate and floral motifs, birds and heraldic beasts: a rare, if not unique, surviving example of earlier Cretan bridal bedclothes. Late 17th-early 18th c. 1.51x1.25 m. Gift of Christopher Tower. (ΓΕ 32646) image and text copyright Benaki Museum 
 Cretan embroidery (detail), circa 1700, Benaki Museum Cretan embroidery (detail), circa 1700, Benaki MuseumCretan embroidery (detail), circa 1700, Benaki Museum
Woven bedspread (patania), spectacularly colourful and technically daring. From the area of Rethymnon, Crete, 19th c. 2.50x1.80 m. Gift of Chrysoula Xanthoudidou-Koundourou. (ΓΕ 29631) image and text copyright Benaki MuseumWoven bedspread ornamented with a dense geometric design and the representation of a group dance along the border. From Crete, 19th c. (ΕΕ 3167) image and text copyright Benaki Museum   Woven bedcover from Crete, densely decorated with loom embroidered geometric designs in vivid colours. 19th c. (ΕΕ 3164) image and text Benaki Museum
  
Cretan flatweave, 19th century, Benaki MuseumCretan flatweave (detail), 19th century, Benaki Museum

Cretan flatweave (detail), 19th century, Benaki Museum

Cretan flatweave (detail), 19th century, Benaki Museum


    

Embroideries from Rhodes and the Dodecanese Islands

Rhodian embroidered sperveri bed-tent, circa 1700, Benaki Museum 

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Multi-coloured embroidered sperveri (bed-tent) with spectacular foliate decoration, flower-vases and peacocks. From Rhodes island. Among the few surviving examples, this is the best and the best preserved. The workmanship combines sumptuous style with excellent execution, the strict compilation of an overall pattern with echoes of Byzantine splendour, and radiance of a joyous sensation with the sensory nature of the neo-Hellenic mode of expression. 17th-18th c. H. 4, circumference of lower border 10 m. Gift of Helen Stathatos. (ΓΕ 7650) image and text copyright Benaki Museum

 

panel from an embroidered bed, Patmos circa 1700, Benaki Museum

panel from an embroidered bed, Patmos circa 1700, Benaki Museum

panel from an embroidered bed, Patmos circa 1700, Benaki Museum

panel from an embroidered bed, Patmos circa 1700, Benaki Museum
   

Valance of a bed, decorated with stylised designs of flowers, flowerpots and leaves, rendered in the distinctive raised technique unique to Rhodos, a Dodecanese island. 18th-19th c. (ΓΕ 6609) image and text copyright Benaki MuseumEmbroidered bed valance with the distinctive raised technique unique to Rhodes, a Dodecanese island, and stylised subjects. 18th-19th c. (ΓΕ 6607) image and text copyright Benaki MuseumEmbroidered bed valance with the distinctive raised technique unique to Rhodes, a Dodecanese island, and stylised subjects. 18th-19th c. (ΓΕ 6603) image and text copyright Benaki Museum

 Bridal chemise from Astypalaia island, with heavy monochrome raised embroidery; 19th c. Gift of Alexandra Choremi. (EE 883) image and text copyright Benaki Museum Embroidered depiction of a woman wearing the costume of Kastellorizo, a Dodecanese island. A primitive rendering of one of the most impressive of all Greek costumes. 0.45x0.30 m. (ΓΕ 23828) image and text copyright Benaki Museum Chemise with geometric raised embroidery. From Karpathos. 18th c. (ΕΕ 923) image and text copyright Benaki Museum  
    

 

Embroidered textiles from Skyros and the Sporades Islands

embroidered bed-cover from Skyros, circa 1700, Benaki Museum
embroidered bed-cover from Skyros, circa 1700, Benaki Museumembroidered bed-cover from Skyros, circa 1700, Benaki Museum 
   
embroidered bed-cover from Skyros, circa 1700, Benaki Museumembroidered bed-cover from Skyros, circa 1700, Benaki Museum 
embroidered bed-cover from Skyros, circa 1700, Benaki Museumembroidered bed-cover from Skyros, circa 1700, Benaki Museumembroidered bed-cover from Skyros, circa 1700, Benaki Museum
   

embroidered pillows from Skyros, Benaki Museum

 

embroidered pillows from Skyros, Benaki Museumembroidered pillows from Skyros, Benaki Museum
Skyros embroidery, circa 1700, Benaki MuseumSkyros embroidery, 18th century, Benaki Museum

embroidered bead-cover from Skyros, circa 1750, Benaki Museum

embroidered bead-cover from Skyros, circa 1750, Benaki Museum

Hoopoe; detail of embroidered hem of a bridal sheet, from Skyros, a Sporades island. The hoopoe, or rather the cockerel, appears in several versions in neo-Hellenic art and possesses an apotropaic-talismanic symbolism, beyond which lies a wish for fertility but also for the fighting strength that might protect it. Late 18th-early 19th c. (ΓΕ 6381) image and text copyright Benaki Museum

Embroidery on a bridal sheet from Skyros, an island in the Sporades. Abundant floral decoration surrounds the central architectural subject: the depiction of an enviable residence with birds, mythical beasts, human figures, and the apotropaic-talismanic symbol of a double-headed eagle. 18th c. Gift of Mari Zarifi. (ΓΕ 8484) image and text copyright Benaki Museum

Skyros ship embroidery (detail) 17th century, Benaki Museum

Embroidered bridal cushion with depiction of a three-masted schooner. Earlier the small flag with a cross on the extreme right used to be considered proof that the item was made in the 19th c. when this type was officially established in the reign of Othon. However, it seems more likely that the cross, repeated in the vessel’s large flag, has a protective rather than national significance. One of the better known objects in the Museum, it is considered one of the most outstanding examples of neo-Hellenic embroidery. The monumental dimensions of the central design in comparison with the extremely small-scale human figures never fail to impress. From Skyros, a Sporades island. 17th c. 0.43x0.46 m. (ΓΕ 6389) image and text copyright Benaki Museum                                    

Embroidery on the border of a bridal towel from Skyros island depicting a ship. Embroideries from Skyros, one of the most luxurious and more thoroughly studied categories of neo-Hellenic embroidery, are noted for their imaginative freedom of design, their joyous, naturalistic spirit, and endless chromatic variety. 18th-19th c. (ΓΕ 6404) image and text copyright Benaki Museum 

Skyros ship embroidery, circa 1700, Benaki MuseumSkyros ship embroidered on a bridal towel, circa 1800, Benaki Museum
                                                                                    Bridal cushion from Skyros island with a scene containing three monumental structures on which human figures are depicted. The structure in the middle is surmounted with a miniature scene of a wedding, the bridal couple and a musician. 18th c. 0.44x0.43 m. (ΓΕ 6390) image and text copyright Benaki Museum Detail of the gold-thread embroidery on a sleeve of a bridal chemise. From Skyros island, 18th-19th c. (EE 664) image and text copyright Benaki Museum
Skyros embroidery with Ottoman design, 17th century, Benaki Museum

Skyros embroidery with Ottoman design, 17th century, Benaki Museum

Skyros embroidery with Ottoman design, 17th century, Benaki Museum

  
Greek embroidery,perhaps Skyros or the Sporades? 18th century, Benaki MuseumBenaki Museum, Greek embroidery, 18th cen?,not sure of originBenaki Museum, Greek embroidery, 18th cen?,not sure of origin
   
Embroideries from Naxos and the Cyclades Islands
Naxos embroidery, Benaki MuseumNaxos embroidery, Benaki MuseumNaxos embroidery, Benaki Museum
   

embroidery from the island of Anaphi, 18th century, Benaki Museum

embroidery from the island of Anaphi, 18th century, Benaki Museumembroidery from the island of Anaphi, 18th century, Benaki Museum
  
embroidery from the island of Anaphi, 18th century, Benaki Museumembroidery from the island of Anaphi, 18th century, Benaki Museumembroidery from the island of Anaphi, 18th century, Benaki Museum
   

textiles from the island of Anaphi, 17th-18th century, Benaki Museum

 

Liturgical Textiles from Greece and Asia Minor (Turkey)

gold thread embroidered silk wrap from Argyroupolis, Pontos, 18th century, Benaki Museumgold thread embroidered silk wrap from the Pontic region, 18th century, Benaki Museum
embroidered silk textile from Asia Minor, 18th century, Benaki Museumembroidered textile from Asia Minor, 18th century, Benaki Museum
Ottoman silk with Christian imagery, Bursa or Constantinople, 17th century, Benaki MuseumOttoman silk with Christian imagery, Bursa or Constantinople, 17th century, Benaki Museum
  
Aer, veil embroidered with gold thread, a liturgical article used to cover sacred vessels on an altar. The Melismos, a symbolic representation of the Holy Eucharist, is portrayed on it with the Child Jesus on a paten below an asteriskos, a star-shaped frame surmounted by a cross, and flanked by adoring angels, seraphim and flowers. Second half of the 16th c. 0.60x0.68 m. (ΓΕ 9340) image and text copyright Benaki MuseumEpitaphios with gold-thread embroidery; a liturgical cloth depicting the Lament and used during Good Friday services. This inscribed handiwork by the needlewoman Theodosia Poulopos is dated 1599 and is one of the most important and earliest examples of ecclesiastical art of the post-Byzantine era. 0.80x1.07 m. (ΓΕ 9338) image and text copyright Benaki MuseumAn epitaphios dated 1649 and embroidered with gold thread. A votive offering of one Ioannis Komnenos to the church of St Kyriaki at Molyvos in Mytilini. This otherwise unknown donor, probably an ancestor of the doctor and philosopher Ioannis Komnenos, bears the name of emperors who were members of an important Byzantine dynasty. 0.51x0.81 m. (ΓΕ 9341) image and text copyright Benaki Museum 
Silver-thread embroidered antimensium bearing the representation of the Lament. The figures of wailing women are depicted beneath the double Cross of the Resurrection. Possibly from a Danubian Principality workshop. Middle of the 16th c. 0.40x0.53 m. (ΓΕ 34682) image and text copyright Benaki MuseumGold-thread embroidered and inscribed epitaphios bearing a representation of the Lament, dedicated to the Church of St George at Ankara. One of the most impressive examples of Post-Byzantine art made by the renowned embroideress Despoineta in Constantinople. 1682. 1.12x1.50 m. (ΓΕ 34604) image and text copyright Benaki MuseumGold-thread embroidered cuff portraying a six-winged angel and with a liturgical inscription. 19th c. H. 0.15 m. (ΓΕ 34222) image and text copyright Benaki Museum 
Gold-thread embroidered cuff with a depiction of the Virgin surrounded by vegetation and flowers, part of an Annunciation scene. 19th c. H. 0.19 m. (ΓΕ 9404) image and text copyright Benaki MuseumGold-thread embroidered cuffs with a representation of the Annunciation belonging to the priest-monk Ananias. Late18th - early 19th c. H. 0.18 m. (ΓΕ 34219) image and text copyright Benaki MuseumGold-thread embroidered skouphia (skull-cap) with seed pearls; part of the composite bridal head-dress of Astypalaia island. 19th c. H. 0.22 m. Gift of Dorothea Mela. (EE 3064) image and text copyright Benaki Museum 
 St George the dragon-slayer. 1731. Gem-studded, gold-thread embroidered icon from the church of St George in Argyroupolis, Pontos. (ΓΕ 33712) image and text copyright Benaki MuseumGold-thread embroidered cuff depicting the Virgin of the Annunciation standing between tendrils and flowers. Late 18th-early 19th c. H. 0.16 m. (ΓΕ 9400) image and text copyright Benaki Museum Gold-embroidered appliques from an omophorion of the Metropolitan of Ankara Joachim. The omophorion is the distinctive vestment of the bishop and an insignia of his authority. Α work of the Constantinopolitan workshop of the renowned needlewoman Despoineta. 1695. H. 0,254, W. 0,054 m. (ΓΕ 9356) image and text copyright Benaki Museum Embroidery border. Rare Asia Minor embroidery representing female figures in an idyllic imaginary setting. From Asia Minor, 17th-18th c. 0.69x0.38 m. (ΓΕ 6736) image and text copyright Benaki Museum 
    

Cuff of gold-thread embroidered silk, with a representation of the angel of the Annunciation among tendrils and fleurs-de-lis. The cuffs constitute part of the sacerdotal vestment adopted from the Byzantine lay garment. They symbolise the handcuffs placed on the wrists of Jesus when he was brought before Caiaphas. 16th c. 0,19x0,27 m. (ΓΕ 9323) image copyright rugrabbit.com text copyright Benaki Museumembroidery from Asia Minor (Turkey), 18th-19th century, Benaki Museum
 

Prelate’s cope of gold-woven Ottoman silk, dedicated by the Metropolitan of Nikomedeia, Neophytos, to the Monastery of St John the Forerunner at Serres. 1629. H. 1.30 m. (ΓΕ 9349) image copyright rugrabbit.com text copyright Benaki MuseumPrelate’s cope of gold-woven Ottoman silk, dedicated by the Metropolitan of Nikomedeia, Neophytos, to the Monastery of St John the Forerunner at Serres. 1629. H. 1.30 m. (ΓΕ 9349) image copyright rugrabbit.com text copyright Benaki MuseumGold-embroidered epitrachilion (stole) x3, The two red ground pieces are late 16th cen. the white is 17th, Benaki Museum
   

 

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