Šaranje tikvica u županjskom kraju
Decorating Gourds in the Županja Area

Summary/Abstract: The art of gourd-decoration existed in the villages of eastern Croatia in the eighteenth century, as is confirmed by verses of Katančić from 1791 (Fructus auctumnales), and by a gourd dated to 1734. Data about this art in the nineteenth century are more abundant. The artists use nitric acid to produce red-brown ornaments, which harmonize well with cut-in black motives. In the twentieth century the art is not a shepherds’ specialty any more, nor exclusively male activity. It has become a house industry. The author describes the art of gourd-decoration in nine localities near Županja. She has confirmed that a gourd dated to 1891 has very similar decorative motives (scenes) to one from 1734. Thus, a continuity has been established, and both objects are considered first-class documents of Croatian folk art.

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