corpina (Vest)

About this object

History of use

The tradition of regionally distinctive dress is still a feature of some of the remote villages of highland Peru. The costumes are a mixture of Spanish influence with surviving indigenous aspects and materials. Most of the women of Tinta wear vests embroidered in primary colours. The costume worn by women on fiesta days differs in the amount of decoration.

Narrative

Bought in the Indian market in Cuzco. The women in the stalls cut and assembled them, the embroidery was done in Tinta.

Cultural context

for everyday and ceremonial use

Physical description

Vest, woman's, made of unbleached cotton twill fabric lined with cotton flour sacking and machine embroidered with floral and geometric motifs in red, blue, yellow and green. The vest opens at the front and has a u-shaped neck. Opens at front centre and there is a pocket on each side at the front.