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 fine Chichicastenanago men's ceremonial head tzute was hand woven on a back strap loom in 2 red cotton base panels with white warp stripes. The panels are joined by a hand embroidered decorative seam. Each panel has a central white warp stripe (.8 cm) and 4 smaller (2 threads) ones. All brocade and embroidery decoration is entirely in maroon and magenta silk. The 4 corner tassels are original and unspun silk. Authentic Chichicastenango men's head tzutes are very rare and highly prized, especially those with silk brocade. This piece is stylistically consistent with examples from the 1920's, but its excellent condition makes it likely to be a more recent piece done in a earlier style, a not uncommon practice viewed as a way to honor tradition. Such tzutes are used on ceremonial occasions by male members of the "cofradia" societies. This tzute was collected from Anna Carolina Ajanel in Chichicastenango. (W76 x L65 cm) (5-419) Was $450. Now $250. OBO