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 the collection are of museum quality.

San Pedro Sacatepequez (Guatemala) ceremonial huipil. Hand spun white base. Some silk brocade and hand embroidered silk collar decoration. All silk hand embroidered decorative seams. Sacred ceiba tree motifs. Fine shoulder decoration. Signed in silk by the weaver. 1950 or before. Exceptional antique in excellent condition except some of the brocade thread has faded to white. (122 x 132 cm) $ 400. Sold.