Hutsul leather belts called “cheres”
In the Carpathian region of Ukraine, people traditionally wore leather belts, often ornate, beautifully adorned, and very skillfully made. A very wide leather belt is called “cheres”. It was made from thick ox leather folded up twice. The width of it could be up to 20-45 cm (8-18 inches) and it could have 1-6 belt buckles.
It had several purposes, one of which was to store money during the trip. Other small objects could be attached to it (knife, pipe, fire striker, etc.).
Also, it served as back support. In the Carpathian area, people often worked in logging and other heavy lifting jobs.
Cheres was even used as body armor by local warriors and fighters. They sewn coins to the inside of the leather belt and bullets ricocheted from such armor. It could protect from knives and daggers easily.
Cheres belts were usually beautifully and richly decorated – with embroidery, stamping, applique, brass (or other alloys) elements, beading, etc. The buckles also were mostly brass and adorned with patterns.
Charming richly embellished leather belt from western Ukraine. Kosiv district, Ivano-Frankivsk region of Ukraine, the early 20th century. The most extraordinary thing in this vintage piece is the belt buckle with stamped patterns on metal.
Hutsul folk leather belt, Carpathian Ukraine, 1975. It’s a fairly modern piece but made according to traditional standards. The belt is embellished with metal decorations and the simple belt buckle is adorned with engravings.
Ornate and festive folk leather belt from western Ukraine, the beginning of the 20th century. It is embellished with metal decorations, multicolored sequins, and a colorful, skillfully made belt buckle.
Interesting way of tying a belt. This is a male folk attire from western Ukraine. The wide belt is woven, with long fringe at the ends. It is tied so that the fringe hangs in the front.
Long and wide male hand-woven belt called “kraika”, western Ukraine, the late 19th – early 20th century. It is wound multiple times around the waist of a man and tucked so that it didn’t loosen up. This sash has a simple but pretty pattern. It looks very masculine.
Ukrainian vintage hand-woven women’s belt. Western Ukraine, the early 20th century. It is adorned with a beautiful woven pattern. And as you see, this belt is rather long – it goes around the waist 2 times and the ends hang to the knees.
Vintage women's hand-woven belt called "kraika". Such belts were typical for western part of Ukraine, but today they are used in every region of the country. This one has cute tassels at the ends.
Vintage hand-woven belt from Central Ukraine, Cherkasy region, the late 19th – early 20th century. The belt has lovely woven roses that used to be brighter but the colors got a bit faded with time. Still, they’re pretty)). From a folk museum collection.
