A rectangular black cloth with a wide patterned band lengthwise across the lower half. The side and bottom edges of the cloth are hemmed in black and red, with a white zigzag stitch along the edge. The band has five horizontal rows, three of which are patterned with white thread and some red in the background, and two of which are black with two horizontal white lines through them. The top and bottom row have a double zigzag pattern. The rest of the row is patterned with diamond shapes. The middle row has a repeating diamond pattern, with smaller diamonds inside the larger ones. The top, middle, and bottom rows have a space in the pattern towards the right edge where the background colour is visible without pattern.

• Iconographic Meaning

  The diamond "inti" represents the sun.

• Specific Techniques

  Supplementary warp with fine handspun black alpaca wool and white cotton, "S" and "Z" spun yarns.

• History Of Use

  Mourning aksu (over skirt). Also referred to as a carrying cloth. The contrast of black and white creates characteristic features of this type of cloth.

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• Type of Item skirt
• Culture Quechua, Aymara
• Material alpaca wool fibre, cotton fibre
• Measurements height 71.8 cm, width 88.2 cm (overall)

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• Previous Owner Joanna Staniszkis
• Received from Joanna Staniszkis

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• Made in Tarabuco

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• Creation Date between 1851 and 1899
• Collection Date during 1975
• Ownership Date before February 5, 2015
• Acquisition Date on February 5, 2015

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• Item Classes textiles
• Condition good
• Accession Number 3097/0004