Shoulder Bag Item Number: Ni39 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Flat folded bag with cross stitch and woven design; three edges finished in cross knit loop stitch. The central design consists of an eight pointed purple star outlined in pink, the red flower at each point has an angular curled extension. There are four inward pointing orange triangles at centre. Of the four upper corner designs, three are green eight are pointed stars and one is stylized curl design. There are stylized floral patterns in lower corners; on either side of star is a brown woven band then a green and red cross stitch band. The woven shoulder strap has an orange band between brown bands; ends are braided and knotted at apex, opposite ends are stitched to upper corners of bag.
History Of Use
Bags are made by women but worn by men; several bags can be worn at the same time as part of everyday apparel, one bag can be worn below the waistbelt; bags are used to carry personal possessions and are now part of the tourist market.
Iconographic Meaning
Eight pointed star refers to the toto flower which grows only during the wet season, can symbolize either corn or peyote.
Cultural Context
contemporary; tourist art; ritual
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
- Shoulder Bag
- Identification Number
- Ni39
- Type of Item
- bag
- Material
- synthetic fibre, cotton fibre and synthetic dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- spun, dyed, stitched, braided and woven
- Overall
- height 83.5 cm, width 38.3 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
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 93
- Accession Number
- 0774/0058