Santo Tomás Chichicastenango ceremonial (cofradía) men's head tzute.

(For a thorough discussion of Chichicastenango men's head tzutes, see "Evolution in textile design from the highlands of Guatemala" by Margot Blum Schevill, Lowie Museum of Anthropology, Univ. Of California, Berkeley.)

This excellent circa-1980 Chichicastenanago men's ceremonial head tzute was hand woven on a back strap loom in 2 red warp-striped cotton panels that are joined by a hand embroidered decorative seam. All the brocade comprising the maroon background to the flowers is silk, as is the rose color. The design motif is floral. The 4 corner tassels are long (40 cm), maroon silk, and original. Authentic Chichicastenango men's head tzutes are very rare and highly prized, especially those with silk brocade. Floral examples with silk are still more rare. Such tzutes are used on ceremonial occasions by male members of the "cofradia" societies. This unique and outstanding tzute is in very good condition. This tzute was collected from Tomasa Calbo Mateo of Chichicastenango at the “bomberos” textile market in Panajachel. W 90 x L 92 cm. (15-178) Was $400. Now $350 OBO.