Blouse Item Number: Ni20 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Short blouse with long set in sleeves with folds at cuffs; folded and stitched circular neck opening with front slit; cross-stitch designs at cuffs, shoulders and hem. Cuffs have undulating pink edging with squares on green ground. Shoulder seams and the bottom edge are detailed with a band of eight petal pink flowers in green octagons on an orange ground. Next to the bands are birds in profile with their heads turned backwards over bodies, there are two v-like extensions above each head, octagonal body with central flower, wings extended to sides, fan-like tail between legs.

History Of Use

Clothing with embroidery was common, now however, cotton print clothing without embroidery is most common.

Cultural Context

contemporary; tourist art; ritual

Iconographic Meaning

Eight petaled flower, known as toto flower, is associated with peyote; frontal birds are most likely eagles which are the guardians of maize.

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

What

Name
Blouse
Identification Number
Ni20
Type of Item
blouse
Material
cotton fibre and synthetic dye
Manufacturing Technique
machine woven, knotted, stitched, sewn, cut and folded
Overall
height 42.8 cm, width 115.6 cm

Who

Culture
Huichol
Previous Owner
Cicuri Shop and 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
0774/0048