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Philip Argenti folklore collection comprises items that fall into four different categories: embroidery, woven fabrics, costumes and woodcarving utensils
The first category is made of costume accessories, such as breast kerchiefs, headscarves and cuffs as well as other ornaments and decorations used around the house, such as çevre, towels and white embroidery. These items cover a period which extends between the middle of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.
The woven fabric collection consists mainly of sample items which date back to 1936. They include belts decorated with various ornaments (called “ploumia” in Kalamoti and Pyrgi) or stripes (called as such in Mesta). They used to decorate the hem of a woman’s skirt and were placed in stripes, as shown in the sample. A variation of this decorative method consisted in using bits and pieces of woven fabrics to decorate the house. Currently, woven fabrics can only by found in Mastihohoria.
As far as the costumes are concerned, it worth mentioning that there are very few areas in Greece where a limited geographical area, especially an island, presents an endless variety of local costumes. This phenomenon can also be found in Florina and the surrounding villages.
Finally the woodcarving item collection comprises mainly utensils used by shepherds. They were found in the Northern part of the island, also known as Voreiohora, and depict the main occupation of the people of this region, which consisted in livestock farming.
The main topic of the paintings found in this room refers to traditional costumes from Chios. The collection covers a considerable period of time, i.e. between the 16th and the 20th century. Visitors can see different variations of the same costumes, depending on the location (villages and groups of villages, namely Kampohora, or the villages of the plane of Chios, and Voreiohora, or the villages in the North of Chios) and on the time frame, in other words across the centuries.
Some of the oldest paintings in this collection were created by explorers who visited the island of Chios. Our newest paintings (20th century) were drawn based on the descriptions given by the locals. These data were compiled by Philip Argenti and were used to produce these paintings.
In the room, there are three cases which hold three porcelain models (figures dressed in local costumes that were already represented in paintings). These models, made in London by D. Court, were ordered in by Philip Argenti. When the models arrived on the island of Chios, Argenti ordered that their moulds be destroyed to ensure the models will remain unique.
This room hosts paintings and portraits of some of Chios’ most prominent families. Most of these portraits are as old as the persons they depict.
These portraits showcase Jenny Skylitsi (1853), Alexandra Mavrokordatou-Skylitsi (1872), Ambrosios Argenti, son of Leonis Argenti (1861), Viera Argenti (1861), Julia Ralli-Argenti (1890), Maria-Julia Argenti (1877) and Pantelys Argenti (1879). There is also a marble bust of Marouko Argenti and bronze busts of Philip P. Argenti and his children (namely Phany, Georgina, Pantelys).
The visitor can discover an interesting case containing medals, coins and small plates, which belonged to the Argenti family. Among the coins, there are rare commemorative issuances dedicated to some of Venice’s dignitaries (Dons): These rare coins narrate the Dons’ exploits against the pirates near Chios (1646-1647), the occupation of Chios and its archipelago and the naval battle of Ceşme (1770). In a second case, there are some of Philip Argenti’s personal items, such as a sword of the Diplomatic corps, a lace originating from Belgium used for children’s christening (1815), miniatures in porcelain frames and an ivory bound Bible.
Finally, the collection comprises miniatures and two ivory busts of the Argenti family, a marble bust of Maria-Julia Argenti (1876) and a bronze bust of Mihalis Mavrokordatos.
The upper floor’s vestibule is mostly decorated with historical paintings. Four of these paintings merit a special mention. They are copperplate engravings made by R. Paton, a French painter, which refer to the historical events also known as “The Orlofika”. This naval battle was led by Orloff, a Russian admiral, against the Turks in the straight of Ceşme in 1770.
All other paintings are oil paintings and copperplate engravings also inspired by naval battles led against the pirates who pillaged the islands of the Aegean Sea during the 18th and the 19th century. Above the doorframes leading to Rooms B, C and D, are 6 paintings inspired by the 1822 massacre of Chios. These are oil paintings (two are copies of the Eugène Delacroix’ famous Massacre de Chios) and a Delacroix’ lithography.
The Folklore Museum and the Art Gallery, both of which are integral parts of the Koraes Library, contain mainly items that belonged to Philip Argenti’s personal collection. In 1932, Philip Argenti founded the Argenti Association whose mission was to preserve and promote the historical and folklore treasures of the island of Chios (i.e. valued items, traditional costumes, garments and other valuables)
In 1937, one of Chios’ Middle Schools dedicated a room to housing the folklore museum. Since then, the museum’s collection has grown larger and richer thanks to donations as well as additional purchases made by Philip Argenti.
Given the growth of the museum’s collection, its founder decided to expand the library by building an additional floor. The purpose of this construction was to ensure that the folklore collection and the historical and topographical paintings of the island of Chios, also donated by Philip Argenti, would be kept under one roof. This new section was officially opened in 1962.
Following the death of Philip Argenti in 1974, his son Pantelis donated more of his father’s books and paintings. It was at this time that the museum expanded to its current configuration. Visitors should pay special attention to the paintings showcased at the library’s entrance and along the staircase and the corridors of the upper floor. All of these paintings depict Chios’ history and came from Philip Argenti’s personal collection.
The busts of the library’s benefactors, namely Adamantios Koraes and Philip Argenti, occupy a prominent location on the building’s main floor. They are displayed next to the coat of arms of Chios’ most noble families and window displays containing manuscripts and personal items that belonged to Koraes and other important persons, along with medals, stones, fossils as well as numerous books and various paintings.
Along the staircase leading to the upper floor are hung historical and topographical paintings, mainly watercolours and copperplate engravings, which date back to the 19th century. Rooms A, B, C, D and E are located on the upper floor. Rooms D and E house the museum’s folklore collection.
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Koraes Library
Korai 2
Chios 821 00
Tel: +30 2271044246
Fax: +30 2271080680
e-mail: [email protected]
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