Shoulder Bag Item Number: Ni33 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Small flat square bag with long woven shoulder strap with yellow and red horizontal stripes. The bag consists of one flat piece of material folded in half and stitched together along each side with a cross knit loop stitch, similar stitch used to finish top edges. The design is of repeating interlocking diamonds with interior diamonds bordered by v forms entirely cover material using a continuous running stitch; slight variations occur in colour and pattern with the interior diamonds. Red and green pompoms are tied to each bottom corner. Strap, twisted and tied at apex, ends sewn to each corner at open end of bag; design is a series of horizontal lines bordered on both sides by solid line.
History Of Use
More than one bag can be worn as part of their everyday dress to carry personal possessions; bags sometimes worn below the waistbelt; women made the bags but they were only worn by men; bags are now made and sold as tourist art.
Cultural Context
contemporary; tourist art; ritual
Iconographic Meaning
Diamond shape represents a god's eye which is a symbol of power and seeing.
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
- Ni33
- Type of Item
- bag
- Material
- synthetic fibre, cotton fibre and synthetic dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- machine spun, machine woven, machine plied, tied, stitched, woven and machine dyed
- Overall
- height 74.3 cm, width 23.0 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
- 0774/0053