Vintage Peraje/Tzute
Anonymous Artisan
Textiles
43” x 46”
Ancient Maya religion included a goddess of weaving, Ix Chel. She is often shown wearing a backstrap loom, which is the traditional Maya loom. Throughout contemporary Maya culture, weaving and embroidery remain widespread. The huipil, a loose fitting tunic, is still by far the most common apparel among Maya women. Each garment is unique and may require two or three months to complete, and each village has developed a distinctive design. Textiles are an integral part of Maya identity and of both everyday and ceremonial life.
This textile is a vintage tzute, or ceremonial headdress from Chichicastenango, Guatemala. The fabric is woven, and the horse figures are embroidered.