Croatian Textiles throughout History

Abstract

Handicraft manufacturing of textiles on Croatian soil is dated far in prehistory. With the arrival of Croats into their present homeland the influences of the established culture and of the old Slavic heritage brought with them were interwined, what was reflected on textile handicraft manufacturing. The predominant textile raw materials were vegetable fibers from flax and hemp (plane regions), as well as from the broom (on the coast). The predominant raw material in the hilly regions where sheep breeding prevailed was wool. Upright looms were used throughout prehistory and antiquity, but with the arrival of the Croats the use of the looms with horizontal warp prevailed. Plain linen fabrics (linen and woden cloth) as well as patterned fabrics and laces were manufactured. Textile handicraft manufacturing prevailed-throughout centuries and continued till the middle of the 20th century. Handicraft manufacturing started in Dubrovnik about 1400 and continued till 1600 and it disappeared then. High quality woolen cloths protected by original trade mark were sold on the Balkans and in Venice. In other parts of Croatia handicraft manufacturing developed during the 18th century and continued till the 19th century when industrial production started to develop. After the 1st world war textile and clothing industry started to develop quickly. With an export share of 19.4 % in total Croatian industry and mining these industries are the greatest exporters in the Republic of Croatia.