Hat Item Number: Sf927 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Cap with a red tassel at the top and a ribbed off-white frill with multicoloured bands around the bottom. The conical top half is mid-brown and the bottom half has two bands of milticoloured and off-white floral motifs as well as a band of off-white profile walking birds, a frontal flying bird, a circle with partitions, a cross, and a reverse curve. The name of the maker appears in the top row.
History Of Use
The colour, extent of patterning, shape and the manner in which chullus or caps are worn signal differences in age, sex and status of the wearer. Females wear chullus in early childhood, but only males wear them later in life. Traditionally, knitting is done only by men and boys, formerly for chullus, but recently also for vest fronts, coin purses, gloves, ties, vests and sweaters which are sold to tourists. This style of cap with brown cone and frilly brim is worn by young girls until they switch to adult woman's head cloth between age 4 and 8.
Cultural Context
young girl
Narrative
Knitted by Esteban Huatta Cruz, a young married man, for his younger sister, Andrea Huatta.
Specific Techniques
Plain knitting done circularly on five needles with extra colours carried on the inside for local colour areas. The knitting is of fine quality.
Iconographic Meaning
The range of motifs refers to local geography and landmarks, ecology, fecundity as well as luck. The six part circle refers to the division of land into six sections on Taquile and the rotation of crops and fallow periods. The s or z shaped reverse curve can refer to the boat port or other objects that contain the idea of turning or returning such as a recurved potato hook. The cross or x-shape can refer to the warping cross in weaving, the crossroads or other intersections. The stepped diagonal lines refer to stairs on the steep island, but also to the connection with the afterworld in a particular myth. The motifs represent basic concepts or interrelationships and may have different particular references.
Item History
- Made by Esteban Huatta Cruz (Maker) in Taquile, Puno, Peru during April 1983
- Collected by Elizabeth L. Johnson during 1984
- Owned by Elizabeth L. Johnson before June 13, 1984
- Received from Elizabeth L. Johnson (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on June 13, 1984
What
- Name
- Hat
- Identification Number
- Sf927
- Type of Item
- hat
- Material
- wool fibre, synthetic fibre and dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- knitted and sewn
- Overall
- height 49.5 cm, width 29.8 cm
Who
- Culture
- Quechua
- Creator
- Esteban Huatta Cruz (Maker)
- Field Collector
- Elizabeth L. Johnson
- Previous Owner
- Elizabeth L. Johnson
- Received from
- Elizabeth L. Johnson (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Taquile, Puno, Peru
When
- Creation Date
- during April 1983
- Collection Date
- during 1984
- Ownership Date
- before June 13, 1984
- Acquisition Date
- on June 13, 1984
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0992/0029