Textile showing a narrative built using coloured hand-embroidered cross-stitching on a metre-squared piece of white linen. The embroidery is confined to a hexagon shape at the centre of the fabric. The narrative works around the cloth, beginning with a depiction of the sowing of maize in a Yucatecan milpa (maize field) when Veronica (the maker) is a child. The milpa is shown, as is Veronica with her grandfather. They kneel before an altar upon which 9 maize kernels are placed. The later scenes show the embroiderer in her house eating with her family, they show her learning to embroider with machine. The connecting images are of birds and floral patterns typically used for traditional dress (the textiles Veronica’s mother is teaching her to make). The final scene shows a religious procession in Abala. In the background are adverts on the walls of Abala, showing the emblem of the PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional).

Long black dress of linen, with sleeves decorated by light taupe silk on top, golden silk on sides, and a deep maroon velvet underneath. The cuffs are heavily embroidered. The sleeves are lined with a red floral patterned fabric. The front of the dress is heavily embroidered in red with a few accents in various colours in long panels extending from the waist down both sides of the skirt, and a square bib. The reverse has the same panels extending down the legs, but the designs are attached by a large section of embroidery across the bottom of the skirt. The hemline is edged by a thin plaited stripe in red, and another in off-white.

Museum Purchase: Funds provided by bequest of Elizabeth Cole Butler by exchange.

Linen shirt (part of a man’s costume with 3052/26-32). Shirt is long, with a deep ‘v’ neck closed by tasseled strings, and wide sleeves that end in narrow, pleated cuffs with button closure. Cuffs are embroidered with a wide band in black, red, green and yellow ‘x’ shapes and diamonds. Hem of shirt is similarly embroidered. From collar down the chest is a rectangular plaque of heavy embroidery in the same colours, in a fine diamond motif.

Under skirt, for wearing under a wool skirt (part of a girl’s costume with 3052/18-24). Skirt is made of white linen, knee length, with an elasticised waist. At the hem is a decorative band of heavy embroidery, in red and black (with white on the inside), in an abstract design. The band is sewn to the skirt with rough stitching.

Linen blouse (part of a girl’s costume with 3052/19-24). Shirt is long, with a ‘v’ neck and wide sleeves that end in small, pleated cuffs. Shoulder area is heavily embroidered with diamond patterns in red and orange. Flower and stem motifs fall from the shoulders to the chest, with a similar motif down the arm, and the neck and cuffs are decorated with embroidery in the same colours. Neck and cuffs are closed by thin wool drawstrings with tassels.

Knee length skirt for wearing under a wool skirt (part of a woman’s costume with 3052/9-17). Made of thick, woven white linen, with an elasticised waist. A panel in a lighter colour and fabric makes up the waist area. Sewn to this is the skirt, made from a thicker, more even weave. The bottom hem is covered in needlepointed red flowers with black foliage.

Blouse (part of a woman’s costume, with 3052/10-17) made of fine white linen. Blouse has a square neck and wide sleeves that narrow to a tight cuff with a hook and eye closure. Arms are heavily decorated around shoulder area with lines of needlepoint in red and black. Cuffs and neck are also embroidered, but more simply, with single lines of red and black.

The Elizabeth Cole Butler Collection.

Museum Purchase: Native American Art Council funds.