Ducat replica ornaments of past centuries

Members of the Center for Research of Revival of Volhynia NGO are working to establish a collection of ducat replicas, legendary ornaments historically worn by wealthy ladies. They have three such replica exhibits made already. The first two reflect the 19th and 20th centuries’ styles, while the third, completed most recently, looks like it was made in the late 18th century. These ornaments were made from coins. They had a hole or eyelet framed in expensive material. Some sources state that girls usually got these ornaments from their godfathers. In general, they were worn by well-to-do peasants and burghers.

Meanwhile, the collection’s third Volhynian ducat replica has been made from a Patrona thaler minted in Bavaria in 1782. The masters plan to make replica ornaments of styles reaching back into the 10th century, head of the Center for Research of Revival of Volhynia NGO Volodymyr Dziobak told us. They also intend to make replicas of clothing of all social groups of various periods, ranging from merchants to peasants.

Copies of the oldest Volhynian ducat replica decorations are now on display at the hand weaving workshop in Radyvyliv. There are a lot of antiquities there, in particular weaving exhibits, including spindles as well as spinning wheels, a flax breaker, a warper, and a variety of looms, and authentic clothing. In addition, the workshop holds also pieces of famous muslin cloth, traditionally used for wedding gowns.