JEWELRY

Jewelry was an integral part of women's clothing. In addition to the material value of jewelry, which was made of gold and silver, it also represented a symbol of status. Different types of jewelry were made for urban and rural populations, for the wealthy, as well as for those of lower economic means. Jewelers, known as "kujundžije," specialized in making various types of jewelry, with some focused on filigree jewelry, while others made rural or urban jewelry. After the arrival of the Austro-Hungarian administration, jewelry-making became an additional specialization for certain artisans who worked with precious stones.

Although diverse, the jewelry collection of the Bošnjački Institute – Adil Zulfikarpašić Foundation preserves a large number of belts with buckles (decorative fasteners for belts), as well as the buckles themselves, made of silver in the filigree technique, through the technique of hammering, and even buckles made entirely of amber. The filigree technique was frequently used and involved twisting and intertwining thin and thick wires on a pre-shaped object. The space within this form was filled with various combinations of interwoven wires of gold and silver.

The buckles were mostly in the shape of bows or geometric forms, often combined with belts made of velvet or satin, or in some cases, the belts were entirely made of silver. Some were decorated with semi-precious and ornamental stones made of cut glass, and most were further enhanced with granulation techniques. Belts with buckles were worn over an "anterija" (traditional garment), and often the belt itself was made from the same fabric as the anterija, to which a buckle was added. Belts with buckles were also worn with "dimije" (traditional pants), or alongside the "kat kaljine" (long tunic).