Greek Island Embroidery, Skyros, Second Half of the 18th C. Silk embroidery on linen. Size: 16'' x 72'' (41 x 183 cm). It's important to note that this long panel isn't a valance; instead, it serves as a panel for a coverlet or sheet. Originally, these textiles consisted of three selvedged long panels sewn together lengthwise. The decorative elements are concentrated along the edges, leaving the center panel adorned only at its two short edges.The design features rows of medallions, each containing a central vase adorned with intricate flowers, flanked by a pair of birds. There are three distinct styles of birds, with the largest being cockerels boasting prominent tails and crests.Skyros, located in the North Aegean Sea, stands as the largest of the Sporades islands and possesses its own unique embroidery style. Skyros embroideries are characterized by their naturalistic elements, including depictions of musicians, horsemen brandishing raised swords, birds, and ships. These elements are all hand-drawn and embroidered using vibrant and colorful floss silk.One particularly distinctive element is the presence of the cockerel. Many elaborate renditions of this symbol are found in local work, serving as a hidden symbol of independence and resistance against Ottoman rule.

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