corte (Skirt)
About this object
History of use
Tubular skirts are wrapped around the hips and worn with a belt or a sash. In Chichicastenango, skirts are worn shorter than in many other places. The skirt material is commercially woven on a treadle loom and the randas (seam bands) are hand embroidered, often by men (0'Neale). Ikat pattern bands have been added since the 1960's (Rowe). This type of fabric is called jaspeados.
Cultural context
worn by women
Iconographic meaning
Double-headed humanoid figures are commonly referred to as dolls (Munecas).
Physical description
Skirt composed of ikat woven cotton in pink, white and blue on dark blue with an embroidered, multi-coloured banded seam decoration (randa) joining the parts. The ikat designs feature patterned bands of double figures, x's and scroll-like motif, bordered by turquoise lines, medium blue and white lines and bands. The pink patterned bands feature the same design as the white ones. One pink band is indistinct and smaller than the rest.
Categories
Materials