Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/135

109 rable amount of work done by a staff of skilled men resident in the villages, who are expert in the cutting and polishing of specialities.

Many of them are engaged in the polishing of a stone called „karmasinky“ (carmoisine), this description, is much used by belt-makers and braziers in Jablonec, and a large quantity is exported, chiefly to France from which country the rough material is drawn

In districts of East Bohemia, such as Chrudim, Skuč, Nasavrky, Pardubice and Hlinsko, quite an army of women; more than two thousand, are employed in embroidering linen of all kinds and qualities; some, for the needs of humble villagers, others for the requirements of castle or palace.

The prices paid to the worker for the embroidery, includes the cost of material, printing or drawing of the pattern on the linen foundation, and for the design when a new style has been submitted and approved. An exception to this rule is, in the case of work sent from Vienna with the patterns already on the linen. Indeed, Vienna is the place from which the embroiderers get most work, the women of course do not deal direct with Vienna houses, the business is done through the agency of local dealers or the special representatives of the large whole-sale establishments.

1 d per yard, is paid for the cheapest class of work; the price increasing in the case of the finer qualities and more elaborate designs. But it is only a high grade of goods that commands 4 d. A more than ordinary smart hand can earn 10 d for a day’s work on plain full embroidery; but she must be quite an artist and very expert to get 1 s. 4 d or 1 s. 8 d for her days labour.

The staple products are counterpanes, ladies’ underwear, scarves, ties and a variety of other articles embroidered on a linen foundation.

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