Name of Object:

Bridal headdress (Kiska)

Name in original language:

Kiska – nevestinski ukras za glava

Location:

Skopje, North Macedonia

Holding Institution:

Museum of Macedonia

 About Museum of Macedonia, Skopje

Date of Object:

19th century

Inventory Number:

4965

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Gilt silver, filigree, granulation

Dimensions:

13 x 4 cm

Provenance:

Srtushko Pole

Description:

Hairpins and other articles of adornment worn on the head were inevitable elements of Macedonian women's attire in the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century. This distinctive decorative pin – kiska – was used for supporting the hat or scarf. This type of jewellery also conveyed a symbolic meaning and served an apotropaic purpose in addition to its decorative function. The pear-shaped ornament was made by application of filigree and granulation techniques. It is adorned with pellets and decorative stones in varied colours. Tiny coins are suspended on chains at the bottom of the ornament.

Citation of this web page:

Milena Petrovic, ethnologist "Bridal headdress (Kiska)" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2025.
https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;mc;7;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 007