Colotenango corte (wrap skirt).

This circa-1980 corte was hand woven on a back strap loom in two equally sized warp-striped cotton panels. The stripes are primarily red and black. The panels are decorated with supplementary brocade in various geometric patterns executed in the soumak technique. Cortes from the Colotenango area are the most elaborate among the few villages where skirts are still woven on back strap looms, a process that takes much longer than foot treadle loomed cortes. This fine example is in excellent condition. It was acquired from the collection of an ex-US diplomat in Guatemala. Weft 89 x warp 222 cm. (16-39) $ 150. OBO