Huipil panel
- Place of origin:
Guatemala (designed and made)
- Date:
1920s (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Unknown (production)
- Materials and Techniques:
Brocaded cotton
- Credit Line:
Given by Tim Pryor in memory of Philip Thornton
- Museum number:
T.215-1993
- Gallery location:
In Storage
This panel comes from a huipil, a blouse-like garment that forms part of the traditional dress worn by Guatemalan women. Huipils are hand-woven by the women themselves, usually on a portable 'back-strap' or 'belt' loom, which is secured around the waist of the weaver, enabling her to continue weaving when opportunity and time permit.
Huipils are very simply constructed; they consist of a woven cotton or wool rectangle with an opening left at the top for the head, much like a tunic. The weave is either plain or brocaded, and can then be decorated further with embroidery or applique. Patterns are often particular to the weaver's village or region.
