Summary

One of a set of three metal brooches made by Igors Polikevics and worn as part of a Nica region Latvian costume. The brooches are attached to the right hand shoulder holding the shawl in place. Igors migrated to Australia at the age of 9 in 1949, following World War Two.

The brooches belonged to Anita Apinis, daughter of Latvian migrant and weaver Anna Apinis. Anita is second generation Latvian weaver, she was taught by her mother Anna and then undertook further training at the Melbourne College of Textiles. Anita's parents, Anna and Ervins, migrated to Australia in 1950, after spending time in a displaced persons camp Memmingin in Germany following World War Two. Anna had learnt to weave in Latvia and continued weaving in Australia, becoming one of the few suppliers of Latvian national costumes in the 1950s and 1960s. Anna kept many of her cultural traditions alive by passing them onto Anita.

Physical Description

Medium sized metal brooch, one of three in descending size order and identical design. Round with inner round hole, and a metal pin welded across the hole. A metal pin is attached at the back of each brooch for attaching to garment. The brooch has a series of relief patterns, round stars and studs with a rope border around the outer and inner edges.

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