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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.

Narrative

Knitted by Esteban Huatta Cruz for use by his young son, Selvano. Worn on a daily basis inside and outside the house until the youngster switches to the brimless cap of the unmarried man.

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. The white unpatterned top indicates this is a boy's hat and the brim indicates it is a toddler's hat.

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.

Description

A conical stocking cap with a red tassel at the top and a ribbed frill around the bottom. The top half is white, with a pink band between it and the bottom half, which has three bands of motifs on a red background, separated by thin blue lines. Two bands repeat a six part floret connected by oblique stepped lines. The third band has motifs of birds, circles, reverse curves and the name 'Selvano.' Bottom white frill has pink, yellow and green edging and is not a complete circle.

Cultural Context

young boy