Chair Item Number: Ni22 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Circular based chair has rectangular back and curved armrest with same decorative intertwined bamboo splints. Bamboo splints interwoven in plait-like weave on seat, surrounded by bamboo grass tied with bark. Support of 2 inverted v shaped branches, one part of branch in base the other extends behind chair; all joints affixed with black glue. Criss-crossing bark under seat, and wrapping around rim underneath gathered bamboo grass. Base: wide smooth overlapping wood strip forms circular base; crisscrossing bamboo strips extend upward from base to wooden rim at bottom of chair seat. Black adhesive is used on all joints.
History Of Use
Chair used by shaman during religious ceremonies to provide a sacred place for communicating with the gods. The chair is also used by ranch elders who consider it their seat of power; it is sometimes the sole piece of furniture amongst the Huichol.
Cultural Context
contemporary; tourist art; ritual
Iconographic Meaning
Curvilinear design represents the five petaled flower of the peyote plant.
Narrative
The Wixáritari are known to the larger world as the Huichol, however that is not the name they use to refer to themselves.
Item History
- Made in Jalisco, Mexico and Nayarit, Mexico before 1980
- Collected during 1980
- Owned by Ralph Maud before February 1, 1982
- Received from Ralph Maud (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on February 1, 1982
What
- Name
- Chair
- Identification Number
- Ni22
- Type of Item
- chair
- Material
- chautle root adhesive ?, cactus fibre ?, bark, bamboo grass and wood
- Manufacturing Technique
- cut, tied, woven, twisted, stripped and glued
- Overall
- height 82.5 cm, width 48.0 cm, depth 52.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Huichol
- Previous Owner
- Ralph Maud
- Received from
- Ralph Maud (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Jalisco, Mexico and Nayarit, Mexico
When
- Creation Date
- before 1980
- Collection Date
- during 1980
- Ownership Date
- before February 1, 1982
- Acquisition Date
- on February 1, 1982
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0774/0013