Peyote Belt Item Number: Ni12 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Peyote belt consisting of seven squares embroidered with geometric designs and joined together with a blue strap at one end and a pink strap at the other. Four of the squares are pouches with a partial opening at the top of each. All of the bags have a cross-knit loop stitch that finishes at the side and top. The cross-stitch designs are as follows (listed in sequence): a diamond pattern with alternating interior designs of squares or crosses; a diamond shape with a scalloped edge and a cross at the centre, each separated by smaller crosses; a series of octagons with concentric crosses at the centre and separated by concentric stepped diamonds; a flower-like design with four stepped square interior petals joined to central square and surrounding flower-like designs composed of z shapes around crosses; a series of bars with interior diamonds that join to create an interlocking diamond around Maltese crosses; a central cross with two squares forming each arm as well as a central square with five smaller squares inside, and these are separated by sets of four squares on a dark blue ground; facing 'c' shapes separated by stepped diamonds with interior crosses.
History Of Use
Used for all-purpose carrying or worn empty for ceremonial or decorative effect; standard part of men's outfit.
Iconographic Meaning
Diamonds are used to prevent the entry of departed spirits through an unwanted path.
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 Cicuri Shop
- 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
- Peyote Belt
- Identification Number
- Ni12
- Type of Item
- belt
- Material
- synthetic fibre ?, cotton fibre and dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- machine woven, cut, knotted, wrapped and stitched
- Overall
- height 9.3 cm, width 76.0 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
- 0774/0042