Vourvoulias Collection.

Joyce Bush de Vourvoulias was a renowned Guatemalan sculptor who early on recognized the remarkable artistry and quality of Guatemalan textiles. Her collection of huipiles spans from 1963 -- when she started actively seeking out the traditional garments -- to 1975, when the increasingly violent undeclared civil war in Guatemala drove her to emigrate to the United States with her husband and children. It was her hope (unrealized) to someday have a representative huipil from each of the pueblos and aldeas in Guatemala. In the Philadelphia art world is she is remembered not only for her sculptures (which are in public and private collections across the U.S. and Latin America) but also for the huipiles she wore.

All items shown here from her collection are of museum quality.

Chuarrancho ceremonial huipil. Hand spun base thread. Most brocade is in silk. Collar decoration is all silk embroidery. Stylistically early 20th century. Portal and double-headed eagle motifs. Because of its excellent condition, it is thought this could be a copy, in the sense that it may not have been worn except by Ms Vourvoulias, the collector. But we do not know of such copies being made as early as 1975 when it was brought to the US. (134 x 150 cm) [12-19] $ 800. Sold.