Name of Object:

Bridal jewellery worn on the breasts (Mingjuska so vot and necklace)

Name in original language:

Mingjushka so 'vot' – nevestinski ukras za gradi

Location:

Skopje, North Macedonia

Holding Institution:

Museum of Macedonia

 About Museum of Macedonia, Skopje

Date of Object:

19th century

Inventory Number:

12339 & 12340

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Klashna - thick woollen fabric, silver coins, silver alloy, decorative stones, tiny beads - monistra

Dimensions:

34 x 29 cm & 45 x 35 cm

Provenance:

V. Belichica Gorna Reka

Description:

This piece of jewellery provides evidence on the versatility of articles of adornment worn by women in Macedonia in the 19th century. Mingjushka so vot belongs to the group of jewellery decorating the chests, although there is no clear distinction from pieces worn around the neck. This exquisite breast jewellery consists of a rectangular piece of broadcloth – klashna – covered with small silver coins reminiscent of fish scales and adorned with decorative stones. It is bordered by a chain, which is additionally adorned with coins. It used to be worn suspended on a chain. Abundant ornamentation with coins was applied on diverse pieces of jewellery and articles of adornment within all ethnic communities in Macedonia.

Citation of this web page:

Milena Petrovic, ethnologist "Bridal jewellery worn on the breasts (Mingjuska so vot and necklace)" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2025.
https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;mc;4;en

Prepared by: Milena Petrovic, ethnologist
Copyedited by: Daniel de la VegaDaniel de la Vega

Daniel de la Vega is a copy editor based in Portland, Oregon. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in linguistics from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 2014 and has since done editing and localization work on everything from college applications to magazines to video game dialogue.

MWNF Working Number: MC 004