The Sárköz is a region of Hungary just west of the Danube
and south of the city of Szekszard. It includes the villages Decs,
Sarpilis, Ocseny, and Bata. Once a marshy area with frequent floods, it
was transformed into fertile farmland after the regulation of the Danube
in the mid 19th century. The people of the Sárköz grew crops,
raised livestock, and tended vineyards in the nearby Szekszard hills.
They were quite well off in comparison to other Hungarian peasant
populations, and their rich folk art traditions reflected their wealth
and high standard of living.
Postcard depicting Sárköz costumes (photo by László
Jantner)
Folk Costumes and Embroidery
Sárközi folk costumes probably started to acquire their
distinctive characteristics in the mid-19th century; they
gradually started to take on more and more modern touches after the
start of the 20th century, and they disappeared completely in
the early 1950's. The women's costumes were especially important, as
they were a way of displaying a family's wealth and status. The more
embroidery and decoration, the wealthier the family. Besides telling you
about the family's material wealth, by looking at a woman's costume you
could determine her age, marital status, and whether she had children,
or was in mourning, etc. There were also different costumes for work,
leisure, and holidays. Most clothing was made from factory-produced
fabric, much of which was imported from France by merchants in
neighboring towns.
Traditionally, almost all embroidery was reserved
for women's clothing. There are two distinctive types of embroidery done
in the Sárköz. The first is very fine embroidery done in white thread on
black silk, used for women's headbands. Several different
stitches are used, and the patterns are usually floral but sometimes
also include whimsical little animals. The other, better known style is
done in geometric patterns on fine white linen. It was originally used
to adorn the borders of women's headscarves, but after the decline of
peasant folk costumes, it was adapted for use on table linens. The
colors are subtle and harmonious with nature. Three stitches are
generally used: the satin stitch, the Holbein stitch (used to outline
pattern areas in black, and for curlicues), and the Biborveg stitch,
which is made up of staggered parallel rows of Holbein stitches. The elegant Sárköz embroidery did not
become as famous as the more brightly colored Matyó and Kalocsa styles,
partly because the wealthy peasants of the region didn't have the need
to create a cottage industry out of selling their needlework to
outsiders. In fact, each family jealously guarded their patterns and
preferred them to be admired from a distance!
Other Crafts
The Sárköz, especially the village of Decs, is well known
for weaving. You can find hand-woven textiles from Decs in folk art and
souvenir shops throughout the country. Weavers use cotton, linen, and
hemp in a wide variety of techniques and patterns. One almost lost craft
being revived is that of knotting fringe used on the borders of
textiles, similar to macramé. Other crafts popular in the Sarkoz include
woodcarving and painting, pottery, beaded jewelry making, egg painting
and basket weaving.
Visiting Today - Decs
Decs is known
today as the "capital" of the Sarkoz region and offers several
attractions for visitors interested in Hungarian folk art and
traditions. One place especially worth visiting is the Doll Museum, run
by master craftswoman Erzsébet Farkas. Her exquisitely crafted dolls
show the whole spectrum of the Sarkoz costumes, from young to old, from
simple attire for washing to ornate wedding dresses. Ingenious little
accessories illustrate the people's daily lives, such as the miniature
weaving loom and the tiny clay baking dishes being carried home from the
baker's. The museum also features hand-painted pottery, wooden
furniture, and Easter eggs, also made by Mrs. Farkas. Other Decs
attractions include the Faluház (village house) with exhibits on local
arts and history, and a peasant-style house (tájház).
Additional Information:
Sárközi Babamúzeum (Doll Museum):
Farkas Lászlóné (Mrs. Farkas), doll- and folk costume-maker, egg
painting. Address: 7144 Decs, Kossuth u. 8. Tel: 36-74-495-734. Open
daily from 10 - 7.
Decs Nagyközségi Faluház (village house): Permanent and
temporary exhibitions on local folk art, culture and history, a working
potter's studio, and art gallery. Open weekdays 9 -4. Address: H-7144
Decs, Rákóczi utca 2-8. Tel/fax: 36-74-495-040. Email:
Sárközi Nepi Iparmuveszeti Szovetkezet (Sárközi Folk Art
Cooperative): Address: 7144 Decs, Kossuth L. u. 34-36. Tel.: (+36) 74
495 320, Fax: (+36) 74 495 414
Traditionally, almost all embroidery was reserved
for women's clothing. There are two distinctive types of embroidery done
in the Sárköz. The first is very fine embroidery done in white thread on
black silk, used for women's headbands. Several different
stitches are used, and the patterns are usually floral but sometimes
also include whimsical little animals. The other, better known style is
done in geometric patterns on fine white linen. It was originally used
to adorn the borders of women's headscarves, but after the decline of
peasant folk costumes, it was adapted for use on table linens. The
colors are subtle and harmonious with nature. Three stitches are
generally used: the satin stitch, the Holbein stitch (used to outline
pattern areas in black, and for curlicues), and the Biborveg stitch,
which is made up of staggered parallel rows of Holbein stitches. 
The elegant Sárköz embroidery did not
become as famous as the more brightly colored Matyó and Kalocsa styles,
partly because the wealthy peasants of the region didn't have the need
to create a cottage industry out of selling their needlework to
outsiders. In fact, each family jealously guarded their patterns and
preferred them to be admired from a distance!
Decs is known
today as the "capital" of the Sarkoz region and offers several
attractions for visitors interested in Hungarian folk art and
traditions. One place especially worth visiting is the Doll Museum, run
by master craftswoman Erzsébet Farkas. Her exquisitely crafted dolls
show the whole spectrum of the Sarkoz costumes, from young to old, from
simple attire for washing to ornate wedding dresses. Ingenious little
accessories illustrate the people's daily lives, such as the miniature
weaving loom and the tiny clay baking dishes being carried home from the
baker's. The museum also features hand-painted pottery, wooden
furniture, and Easter eggs, also made by Mrs. Farkas. Other Decs
attractions include the Faluház (village house) with exhibits on local
arts and history, and a peasant-style house (tájház).