Traditional Balkan Jewelry (from the collection of Muzej primenjene umetnosti)

Muzej primenjene umetnosti

Exhibition Opening

We are pleased to invite you to the opening of the exhibition “Traditional Balkan Jewelry from the 18th to the early 20th century from the collection of Muzej primenjene umetnosti,” curated by Mila Gajić, Senior Curator of the Metal and Jewelry Collection, on Friday, 6 November 2026, at 7 pm in the Museum’s Main Gallery. This event also marks Muzej primenjene umetnosti Day.

• Visitors will see a selection of 260 pieces, including standout paftas, tepeluks, belts, earrings, chest ornaments, and other adornments, showcasing the richness of forms and motifs as well as the symbolic role of jewelry.

• With this exhibition, Muzej primenjene umetnosti presents a precious and little-known part of its jewelry collection, much of which comes from the former collection of artworks assembled by painter and printmaker Ljuba Ivanović (1882–1945).

• At the same time, we want to bring this heritage closer to today’s audiences and to artists—especially jewelry designers—who can find in its forms, motifs, and meanings inspiration for original research and new design solutions. In that spirit of dialogue between tradition and contemporary authorial expression, a dedicated segment features the jewelry brand „Хота Хота“ and its take on the pafta and the tepeluk.

• A series of talks will accompany the exhibition.

• Speakers at the opening: Acting Director of Muzej primenjene umetnosti Dr Stevan Martinović and the exhibition curator, Senior Curator Mila Gajić. The exhibition will be opened by Dr Vesna Bikić, Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Archaeology and a corresponding member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

• The exhibition “Traditional Balkan Jewelry from the 18th to the early 20th century from the collection of Muzej primenjene umetnosti” will be on view from 6 November 2026 to 28 February 2027.

Welcome!