From the picturesque village of Băltățești in Neamț county, northeastern Romania, emerge the exquisite works of Maria and Iulian Mihalachi. Esteemed throughout Romania, their signature decorative fabrics and traditional masks resonate deeply with cultural aficionados.
A former engineer and teacher, Maria took it upon herself to master the intricacies of the horizontal loom, a cherished heirloom from her grandmother. Her pursuit of weaving techniques and ancient Romanian symbols led her to museums and the watchful observation of seasoned craftswomen. With Iulian's unwavering support, they eventually established a workshop where Maria now crafts carpets, tapestries, and pouches.
On her horizontal loom, she meticulously intertwines cotton warp with wool weft. The wool, either in its natural state or tinted with organic dyes—derived from a medley of leaves, roots, flowers, tree barks, or minerals—comes alive under her hands. Drawing inspiration from Neamț, her designs range from faithful reproductions to stylized motifs, each bearing her unique artistic imprint.
