The Dětva crooked needle embroidery is another cultural treasure that appears on the Czech Mint's silver coins dedicated to Slovak folk motifs.

The Podpolaní region, located in the southern part of central Slovakia, is characterised by numerous natural beauties and scattered settlements. The inhabitants of these remote homesteads have always been self-sufficient - they produced everything they needed to live on their own. In addition to their skills, they also had an artistic flair. This is evidenced by the original shapes and colours with which they decorated their clothing and home accessories from the beginning of the 19th century, perhaps following the example of the Turks. The unique folklore wealth, which is still alive today, is famous as the Crooked Needle embroidery of the children of Dětva. This artistic technique uses a wooden frame, a stretched canvas with a pre-drawn design, coloured thread and a hook with a sharp point. One hand holds the hook while the other guides the thread on the underside of the canvas. The hook then pierces the canvas from above, catches the thread and pulls it up through the fabric. This creates a thick chain stitch. The finished embroidery combines geometric patterns and natural shapes, but does not feature typical flowers, fruits or leaves - it is highly stylized. Each ornament has its own name: a bell, a tulip, a ladybird, a slug, …

The reverse side of the coin presents a Slovak two-armed cross, which is made up of ornaments of the Dětva embroidery. As the coins of the Czech Mint are issued with the license of a foreign issuer, which is the island of Niue, the obverse side bears its necessary attributes - the state emblem, the nominal value of ONE DOLLAR (NZD) and the year of issue 2023.

The coin, which is set in special packaging, will serve as a beautiful regional gift. Do not overlook the coin dedicated to the Čičmany pattern.

Source of photos used in the packaging: Táňa Hojčová & Detvianske ľudové umenie archive – Iveta Smileková