Evening star., 1950-09-19
Eleni 2
in
Europe

CrammeQ WIN WOnQrOuS art
treasures and antiquities you
would think that nothing could
possibly impress you further
along similar lines. No visit to
Athens, however, would be COM
plete without seeing the Benaki
Museum which is a "jewel box"
amongst museums.
Aside from housing priceless
objects that have originated in
Greece, and others from various
parts of the world that have in
fluenced the Hellenic people, the
most interesting collection is the
one of Greek national costumes
that is the most complete and
finest in the world. CThe most
interesting, that is, to fashion
editor.)
Many fashion designers period
ically visit the Benaki Museum
and avail themselves of the in
finite inSpirational material that
is located there. They come from
all over the world and the guest
book records a number of names
that have made fashion history.
A recent visitor was Carolyn
Schnurer whose visit to, the mu-
scum and various areas in Greece
resulted in an entire Greek COL
lection being designed for Ameri-
can consumption.
One is aware that great love
has gone into the planning of
this 20-year-old museum which is
the pride of Greece and of a col
lector Of great note, Antony
Benaki.
1t was a rare privilege to be
escorted through the museum by
the white-haired and mustachioed
gentleman, who, with a great gift
OF humor, related many anecdotes
connected with many of the ex-
hibits. These, incidentally, are
grouped in a warm and interest
ing manner. The coldness and
drabness of other museums are
absent here.
Mr.. Benaki himself has care
fully selected and supervised the
library which compliments the
museum and which consists Of
over 5000 volumes in all Ian
guages, which may be used for
reference. .-....
In the museum are exhibits fea-
turing pottery, ecclesiastic relics
saved from Asia Minor by the ref
ugeeS when populations were ex-
changed with Turkey; historical
relics of the Greek War of Inde-
pendence, and complete collec-
lections, such as one of Chinese
pottery and porcelain donated by
George Eumorfopoulos of London.
All are fascinating, but the cos
tunes ard the jewelry thrilled us
most.
The costumes are from every
area in Greece. Each one is diff
ferent in design, color and en-
broidery techniques. Those wom-
en- fortunate enough to see the
Greek Cavalcade of Greek Fash.
ions" that toured the United
States saw great many of these
very same costumes that had beer
loaned for the first time in the
history of the museum.
Mr.. Benaki told us that many
of these costumes were brought
in by leading Greek families VIII,
owned them, by peasants, ant
many were purchased directly
One village bridal costume wal
brought in by mother who's
daughter had died before hel
wedding. -
In the villages two costumes
were worn. One the daily outfit
and the other the bridal. ThI
bridal costume used to be handel
down from mother to daughter
And when woman had a number
OF daughters the outfit wal
divided and each daughter under
took to complete it.
In Attica the women wore thei
doWry on themselves on feas
days. So that the models in tn,
museum are heavily laden with
coin bracelets. necklaces ant
waist belts. Prospective groom
OF that area certainly had a goot
idea OF what a girl was WORTH
financially!
In Roumliki the reason behint
the feminine headpiece that look
ike warriors helmet but tha
is adorned with four black sill
scarfs, jewelry and a flower, L
very interesting. Seems that il
the time of Alexander the men O
the district were called for mill
tary duty. They did not respon,
put their women did. They con.
Quoted themselves so admirabl
that Alexander decreed that thu
women district henceforth wouh
be the only ones who could wea,
the helmet.
Cretan women's costumes wer
not complete unless they included
dagger. The idea was tina:
they were so beautiful they nigh,
be abducted. Every fiance gaW
his f1ancee one with which to pro.
tect herself. Mr.. Benaki gayb
.