Shelests are a type of metal necklace that consisted of round hollow bells with holes, or “kolokuli,” separated by holes, and were widespread in the Hutsul region along with zgardas. Since the 17th century in the Eastern Carpathians, masters of the mosaic industry have been making shelests using the technique of stamping brass, copper, and nickel-plated metal.

Shelests look exactly like the bells from the times of Kyivan Rus from archaeological finds. Similar analogies can also be found among the bronze, silver, and gold items of the ancient Slavs. And just like in ancient times, the Hutsuls endowed shelests with a powerful amulet function: the sound of rustling was supposed to drive away evil spirits.

In necklaces, shelests were most often connected by two or three pieces together. Also, shelests were placed together with cross-shaped pendants in zgardas and necklaces made of Venetian glass.

Shelests were often fastened with clasps, just like zgardas.

Zoriana Kuryliak

Project "Decorative metal: metal elements of traditional Ukrainian neck jewelry" is supported by the European Union under the House of Europe programme.