Huipil: Backstrap-loomed, warp predominant plain weave. Single and two-faced supp. weft brocading. Two pieces joined front, back, and side seams by machine-stitching; end selvedges loom-finished.
Donor:
Janet Tellefsen
Collection place:
San Juan Comalapa, Chimaltenango Department, Guatemala
Verbatim coll. place:
Comalapa, Chimaltenango
Culture or time period:
Kaqchikel
Collector:
Thomas Whittaker
Collection date:
late 1960s-1976
Materials:
Cotton (textile), Rayon (called rayon ), and Silk floss (floss)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Huipils
Function:
2.1 Daily Garb
Production date:
1960s
Accession date:
March 1, 1989
Department:
Mexico, Central America, and Caribbean area
Dimensions:
width 76 centimeters and length 54 centimeters
Comment:
MATERIALS, TECHNIQUES: Backstrap-loomed with "rayon" thread; 2 ply, green. Suppl. weft 2 ply cotton, silk floss, 2 ply silk. CONTEXT OF USE: "Huipil de Sanmartineco" one of two distinctive types from Comalapa. Woven in "rayon" 2 ply yarn which is very uncommon, as well as the color of green/yellow which makes up the background fabric. The combination of these two traits indicates the high status of the wearer. "rayon" is a term used in Guatemala for shiny yarn; may not be what is chemically called rayon but rather some other synthetic material or treated cotton. CONSERVATION: good