Clothing and textile collection

The LNMH clothing and textile collection is the most extensive collection of traditional folk textiles, which has provided and continues to provide the basis for research of Latvian and Liv clothing. The collection contains almost 25,000 items.

The collection consists of two large groups of objects. The first is women’s and men’s clothing and accessories, samples and parts, as well as footwear, totalling approximately 21,000 items. It describes the clothing of peasants and fishermen in the territory of modern Latvia from the 18th century onwards.

The other part of the collection consists of almost 4,000 household textile items. Like clothing, the home-made textiles for daily life reflect the long-cherished craft skills, the characteristic colour palette, rhythms and proportions that have been handed down from generation to generation.

The collection is based on several large sets of items from expeditions organised by the Riga Latvian Society, the Monuments Board and the Museum, supplemented by items from the collections of several private individuals. The collections of Arvīds Dzērvītis and Jānis Rieksts comprise a prominent part of the clothing and textile collection.

Most of the objects in the collection – both folk clothing and items reflecting daily life and the surroundings – were made and used in the 19th century, but they testify to much older traditions. In addition, a significant part of the collection consists of 20th-century applied folk art objects, which reflect the continued existence of traditional cultural influences in the handicrafts of artisans and professional artists.

Head curator of the clothing and textile collection Inita Heinola (traditional clothing parts)

Head curator of the clothing and textile collection Una Dževečka (interiour textile)

In order to research the museum’s collection in person, please fill out the form and send to: muzejs@lnvm.lv

Research museum collection

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