Contextual Studies Task 4 By Nadya Stoyanova, Lisa Vella Gobey and Clara Warr

Traditional Maltese costumes

Ghonnella Also known as “Faldetta” Head dress and shawl Made out of Cotton/Silk Black/white

Origins It is believed that women form Celano,Italy started wearing the garment in 1224 C.E. as a sign of mourning. The garment is rarely seen nowadays only worn for folk activities (or weddings)

Materials Cotton-peasants (Black) Silk- wealthier women (White) The shape is very circular and covers all of the body excluding the face.

Tberfil

Tberfil Characteristics Designs are organic and curvy Primary colours are used Designs and font are hand carved from wood Inspired from Art Deco and Art Nouveau

Tberfil Origins Has a historical influence that is Art Deco and Art Nouveau Traditional form of Maltese Art

Tberfil Making Uses paint brush and some paint to decorate the designs. Swirling flourishing and rich lettering styles. Thin, Fine lines, the use acanthus leaf. Requires a great deal of patience and concentration.

Lace Making (Bizzilla)

Bizzilla Characteristics Silk Linen Thread Often used is the 8 pointed Maltese cross as part of the pattern.

Lace Making (bizzilla) Origins Tradition heads to the 16th century till the 19th century but in 1800s it became popular again. it also made an Impact in Britain in the 1850s Bedfordshire lace uses this style as one of the sources.

Lace making (bizzilla) The technique used is called Għażel The pattern is usually drawn on parchment paper before threading it. To show where the pins are supposed to be placed holes are prickled in. A cushion is used throughout the whole process.

Maltese Farmer

Traditional Maltese Farmer characteristics Milsa is A traditional head dress worn by farmers. Horga used as a sack to store seeds and vegetables. Terha is a colourful thick cloth that used to be wrapped around the farmers waist.

Traditional Maltese fashion(men) Cotton shirt Felt like vest Loose fitted trousers Ghannej, Edward Caruana Dingli

Filigree Characteristics Metal threads such as silver and gold are used. It is popular in the art deco era.

Filigree Example pictures:

Examples of Filigree Example 1: Maltese cross: -Form of four V-Shaped arms; -Thick threads of silver with inner parts designed with thin swirls of silver threads. Example 2: Butterfly: -Wings are shaped in three curves on outside and with thin curves and swirls on inside. -Pair of eyes emerge from the red from curved threads of silver.

Filigree Origins Been a Maltese tradition for a long time. Found in the Egyptian Pyramids some 500 years B.C. Source of income to several families during the 19th Century. History influence in Art Deco era.

Filigree Process First melting silver or gold granules using high temperature. After cooling the metal is poured into the moulds. Ingots are produced which are pressed and stretched several times in order to produce metals of different thicknesses. These are used to create the various delicate shapes of jewellery.

Maltese Tiles

Maltese Tiles Charateristics Made of cement Usually Handmade but sometimes printed Use of colours

Maltese tiles origins They are inspired from Turkish, Spanish and Moroccan (Morrish) Tiles Maltese have made them in their own way giving a defferent identity.

Maltese Tiles Making Cement is used to make the maltese tiles. They are made from powdered marble, colour pigment. https://youtu.be/XyrHVrM5ftY

Conclusions – Traditional Maltese costumes and Maltese farmer It is rare to find the ghonella ,only during folk activities. Hogor (Horga) is still used today by farmers.

Conclusions – Tberfil and Filigree Tberfil- Gives everyday vessels / vehicles an artistic quality. - Makes otherwise drab, boats and buses, attracting and appealing. Filigree- fascinatingly woven silver and golden threads. - Traditional Maltese cross shapes and challenging ornamental creations such as violins, doll dresses and even skulls.

Conclusions- Bizzilla and Maltese Tiles Bizzila is still practiced nowadays in some government schools for girls. Maltese tiles are usually found in old traditional Maltese town houses or farmhouses.

Traditional Maltese Costumes

Traditional Maltese farmer

Designs and Lettering styles Tberfil Designs and Lettering styles

Delicate shapes of jewellery Filigree Delicate shapes of jewellery

Bizzilla

Maltese Tiles

Thank You For Your Attention