Other

Valance in the form of a rectangular canvas, hemmed on three sides (one horizontal side with a hem and openwork). Handmade lace with a geometric ornament is sewn to the bottom edge. The valance is embroidered with red and black threads, with pink threads used instead of red on the tassels on one side. The ornament is floral and geometric: the lower row features tassels, and the upper row has a wide band of stylized flowers arranged in clusters above stylized fences. Provenance: Around 1900–1910, Kharytyna Stepanivna Harkava sewed and embroidered this valance. It was later preserved in the family of her son, historian and local historian P.A. Pleskach, co-author of an article about Dvorichna in 'History of Cities and Villages of the Ukrainian SSR. Kharkiv Oblast' (pp. 405–414). It was eventually passed down to the family of his granddaughter, N.P. Biryukova. Kharytyna Stepanivna Harkava, a resident of Dvorichna (~1866–~1975), began working as a seamstress at age 10. She sewed for sale until age 90 and embroidered and crocheted for herself. She had students whom she taught sewing, embroidery, and crocheting.