Croatian dolls

8" doll front

8" doll rear

The dolls pictured represent the region of Croatia known as Slavonia which covers most of inland eastern Croatia. I believe they wear a version of a costume from Djakovo distictive for its use of gold and silver metallic thread. Of course these are mass produced inexpensive souvenir dolls and so the costume has been very pared down with the use of ric rac braid to simulate the beautiful strips of embroidery which adorn the backs of the skirts in the actual costume.

The  8" doll on the left wears a black embroidered shawl and matching apron, held at the waist by a red band. Her blouse and skirt is made of heavy duty cream cotton and trimmed with cotton lace. She wears white long socks and lovely red leather shoes.

I have included some photos of the 13" version who wears a head scarf trimmed with a good quality metallic braid.

The small 5" doll she holds is probably the nicest quality of the 3 with gold embroidery detail and tiny brown leather shoes.

13" doll holding 5" version

13" doll rear

The Museum of Slavonia has a lovely collection of dolls in folk costume on their website Muzej Slavonije