Skirt Border Item Number: 3486/1 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
A red golon (skirt band) of medium width with several types of diamond patterns repeated along its length. The weaving has wool warps and a mixture of wool and synthetic yarns in the weft.
Skirt borders, called golones (Spanish), commonly range from 2–10 cm wide and are sewn onto the lower edge of skirts (polleras) in many communities in the Cuzco region. Some bands are even wider, especially those worn by young unmarried women in Patacancha Valley communities. In some communities the skirt bands are relatively narrow, for example in Chinchero and Pitumarka. The bands are woven in twill tapestry on a loom that has many heddles (often 8, but as many as 16 or more). The loom with heddles is not of indigenous origin, and the golon is not woven with four finished edges. The skirt border and loom were imports from Spain. The gathered skirts to which the golones are attached are also imported garment types. The warps are a plain light colour, except for the warps at the edges, and the wefts are brightly coloured. The wefts are often synthetic commercial yarns in neon colours; various geometric patterns based on diamonds and diagonals are woven.
Bought by the donor in 1984 in the Pisac market; made and used in one of the communities above the Urubamba Valley.