Summary

Woven belt, using traditional Latvian patterns from the Zemgale region, symbolising the Morning Star. Woven by Anna Apinis, circa 1970 on a hand made back strap loom using the pick up technique. It was made for her daughter as part of a Latvian national costume when her daughter finished Latvian high school. The ornateness of this belt indicates it is part of a woman's costume. The loom on which this fabric was woven was made for Anna by fellow survivors of World War II, in Memmingen, a displaced persons camp in Germany with wood scavenged from bombed-out ruins. It was designed by Anna's husband Ervins. Anna used the loom to weave traditional Latvian designs using threads gathered by unravelling old scraps of fabric. Anna brought the loom with her to Australia and continued to weave Latvian designs on it.

Physical Description

Belt woven for Latvian national costume from Zemgale region. The belt is made of wool and cotton and has fringed ends. It utilises geometric patterns picked out in red, green and blue on a white background. It is quite narrow and has no buckle.

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