Threads of Time: Tradition and Change in Indigenous American Textiles

Cape for a Male Saint Effigy

2009_042_190_C_SCR.jpg

Title

Cape for a Male Saint Effigy

Description

Unlike jackets, which were introduced by the Spanish, capes date back to representations of ancient Maya rulers. Light red with brocaded animals, this would have been worn by a santo over his camisa. The upper register features birds, while the animals on the lower register appear to be supernatural in nature. Bird motifs are found across highland Maya clothing, placed on garments of every kind for either gender. The birds on the red cape most closely resemble, eagles, falcons, or hawks, all of which served as nawales, or shamanic animal spirits. 

Geographic Area

Central America, Guatemala, San Pedro Sacatepéquez

Culture

Kakchikel Maya

Date

Ca. 1890

Materials

Cotton

Credit Line

Bright Collection of Guatemalan Textiles

Accession Number

2009.42.190

Photo Credit

Photo by Michael McKelvey, 2017

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