At the Golești Museum two wonderful exhibitions were reopened. They are dedicated to the Romanian traditional costumes from the ethnographic region Argeș-Mușcel. From October we are waiting for you to explore the old traditions of our people expressed through the costumes and rugs of our museum heritage.
A true “identity pass”, the traditional folk costume was created after a long creative process. Far from remaining unchanged, the Romanian folk costume has evolved over time. Having a solid structure it has had the power not to imitate, but to assimilate foreign influences.
The folk costume of the Muscel area is valued and considered among the most beautiful in the country. Its fame is due to its unusually spectacular appearance. It was influenced by the royal costume, but in turn became the emblem of the Royal House of Romania. Fascinated by the culture of her country, Queen Elizabeth appreciated the traditional art, so Prince/King Charles I gave her a Romanian folk costume for their wedding. Also, Queen Mary, who understood the symbolic role of the folk costume, commissioned and wore eighteen costumes from Muscel area.
Anica Davila, niece of the great scholar Constantin (Dinicu) Golescu and wife of the General Doctor Carol Davila, was a great lover of traditional Romanian costumes and often wore them. When she came to the Golești mansion, on Sundays she would go out to attend and play the village dances.
„Scoarțele”, woolen fabrics very fine colored, were considered to be pieces of great value in both peasant and noble homes. They were therefore included in the dowry documents of the time and passed down from generation to generation within the same families. Important moments in family life took place in the „good” room, the very one decorated with rugs. Many of the patterns woven on the rugs have come down to us from times when human life was much more connected to nature and the forces of the universe. Making these marks on the objects that surrounded one’s home was a way of spiritual communication. The motifs used – geometric, floral, and anthropomorphic – had an aesthetic, but above all a protective role against charms and evil spirits.
Museographer Simina Arsene
