Traditional chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) embroideries (Marvão, Portugal)

By the late nineteenth century, in Marvão (Portugal), women created a new art by embroidering the chestnuts' pericarp – Castanea sativa Mill. –in linen fabric. This tradition has been kept alive and is now the most representative traditional art from Marvão. The pattern of the embroideries includes flowering branches in which the chestnut's pericarps are used to create imaginary leaves and petals. The embroideries are always framed and protected by glass and can include photos of family members and friends. Keywords: Chestnut fruits, Castanea sativa Mill., chestnut embroideries, Marvão, pericarp.