By the 19th century, tubeteikas had become widespread. At that time, the variety of their shapes was established — there were pointed and cone-shaped, hemispherical and four-sided, round and domed. The caps could be of any kind that the local custom and fantasy of the craftswoman would suggest. The richness and variety of colors, ornaments and embroidery techniques have been so great that it is difficult to name all the possible variants of tubeteika design.
Until the 20th century, each ethnic group used its own specific shapes, colors and patterns when making tubeteikas. Each region developed its own style and had its own ornamental motifs. Slightly cone-shaped tubeteikas with four sides were the most common ones. The headdress was made from two or more layers of fabric, quilted and reinforced with silk or cotton thread. Then it was embroidered with silk, gold or silver threads. A tubeteika has always adorned the national costume. Craftswomen sought to make beautiful perfect caps and this made their tubeteikas works of art.
In the past tubeteikas used to indicate the special status of the owner, his belonging to a certain social class. People used to say: “Show me your skullcap, and I will tell you where you come from, how rich you are, and if there is a joyful or a tragic event in your family…” For example, only representatives of the aristocratic strata of society and people who were awarded such an expensive gift had the right to wear gold-embroidered tubeteikas.
Some researchers believe that the tubeteika was transformed from a pointed hat, which was usually worn under a turban, and the tubeteika itself was adopted in the Turkic world after the Arab Islamic conquest.
The museum collection contains a red four-sided skullcap with floral ornaments. There is an undulating floral pattern, embroidered with gold threads, both at the bottom and on top of the tubeteika, which symbolizes wealth and tenacity. The pattern is embroidered with beads. The edge is trimmed with black velvet. The red color and gold embroidery make the tubeteika look bright and solemn. Light and shadow play on the raised gold pattern with every movement. Such tubeteikas were worn on holidays, with simpler models used during the week.
Until the 20th century, each ethnic group used its own specific shapes, colors and patterns when making tubeteikas. Each region developed its own style and had its own ornamental motifs. Slightly cone-shaped tubeteikas with four sides were the most common ones. The headdress was made from two or more layers of fabric, quilted and reinforced with silk or cotton thread. Then it was embroidered with silk, gold or silver threads. A tubeteika has always adorned the national costume. Craftswomen sought to make beautiful perfect caps and this made their tubeteikas works of art.
In the past tubeteikas used to indicate the special status of the owner, his belonging to a certain social class. People used to say: “Show me your skullcap, and I will tell you where you come from, how rich you are, and if there is a joyful or a tragic event in your family…” For example, only representatives of the aristocratic strata of society and people who were awarded such an expensive gift had the right to wear gold-embroidered tubeteikas.
Some researchers believe that the tubeteika was transformed from a pointed hat, which was usually worn under a turban, and the tubeteika itself was adopted in the Turkic world after the Arab Islamic conquest.
The museum collection contains a red four-sided skullcap with floral ornaments. There is an undulating floral pattern, embroidered with gold threads, both at the bottom and on top of the tubeteika, which symbolizes wealth and tenacity. The pattern is embroidered with beads. The edge is trimmed with black velvet. The red color and gold embroidery make the tubeteika look bright and solemn. Light and shadow play on the raised gold pattern with every movement. Such tubeteikas were worn on holidays, with simpler models used during the week.
