Belt

Item number Sa164 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Data
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Description

A blue cotton belt with braided warp yarns at each end. Loops of pink, yellow and white cotton yarn are attached to braided warp yarns. Embroidered designs include red and dark pink flowers, green leaves and pairs of white birds. White stripe along each edge.

History Of Use

The belt was probably manufactured as a tourist item. It is not typical of belts worn by the people of Santa Maria de Jesus (O'Neale). The Quetzal design lacks traditional elements, and the braided ends have superfluous loops of cotton yarn (Lambert).

Cultural Context

worn by women

Iconographic Meaning

The flower designs symbolize fertility; the bird designs are Quetzals which traditionally symbolize the deity Quetzalcoatl (Osborne).

Narrative

This object forms part of the Inge Ruus Collection of Guatemalan Textiles in the Museum of Anthropology. The Inge Ruus Collection of Guatemalan Textiles was collected on behalf of the Museum of Anthropology by Inge Ruus, Curatorial Assistant in the Museum from 1974 to 1978. Some items were purchased by the Museum and others were donated by Inge Ruus. Inge Ruus collected these materials while attending courses on Guatemalan textiles in Guatemala during the summers of 1976 and 1977, taught by Anne Lambert, instructor on textiles at the University of Alberta.