Latin America, Mexico, ca. 1850 CE. A fine example of antique Mexican rebozo artistry, this mid-19th century woman's shawl is hand-woven of richly contrasting indigo and white cotton fibers. The jaspe or ikat dyeing method used existed before the conquistadors arrived in Mexico, and the intricately knotted fringe original to the piece complements the tightly woven, fine striated pattern of the shawl. The rebozo is a garment that has a long and fascinating history throughout Mexico, figuring prominently in the lives of women, men, and children. These shawls have played a role in virtually every stage of life, from birth to childhood, courtship to marriage, death to mourning. Rebozos have been the subject of Mexican music, poetry, art, and folk culture. The Spanish term rebozo has its roots in the verb rebozar which literally means to cover or to cover the face or mouth. As native populations converted to Christianity, new customs developed, one of which was that females were to cover their faces before entering a church. This said, long before Spanish conquistadors made contact with the Americas, the women of the indigenous population wove beautiful textiles on their traditional body tensioned, back strap or belt looms (in Spanish telar de otate or the telar de cintura). As such the rebozo represents a fusion of cultures and various periods of Mexico's history blending the rich weaving tradition that began thousands of years prior to the Spanish conquest with the styles and new religious traditions introduced by the Spaniards. The rebozo truly is a symbol of Mexican nacionalidad (nationalism). Some have even made the case that the rebozo should serve as the bandera (flag) of Mexico! Size: 93" x 29-1/2" (236.2 x 74.9 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Historia Antiques, James Caswell, Santa Monica, CA

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#110625

Small, moth eaten area or two, two small stains, overall very good