Dress

MOA: University of British Columbia

3651/2

Handmade huipil made from pale orange-brown, pale green-brown and beige undyed cotton. The dress is made from three vertical, rectangular panels of fabric, joined with stitching, with a U-shaped neckline and openings at the sides for the arms. Decorated with embroidered designs. The design elements include: the pattern of the woven mat the cotton is placed on for beating; pumpkin flowers; crab, and soursop flowers.

  • Specific Techniques

    Made with natural, undyed cotton. The cotton fibres were hand-spun, then woven on a backstrap loom. The huipil is made from panels that were assembled and sewn together.

  • Narrative

    This huipil was used by Victorina Lopez Hilario while she was conducting a workshop at UBC, as part of the 'Debating Origins and Directions of Interregional Exchange in Latin America' organized by Aleksa Alaica. The attendees at the conference, including Hilario, toured MOA with Rowley on October 26, 2023. After the tour (Oct. 28) Rowley purchased two huipils and the raw cotton samples for the MOA collection.


  • Type of Item dress
  • Culture Amusgo
  • Material cotton fibre
  • Measurements height 108.0 cm, width 82.0 cm (overall)

  • Creator Crescencia Gomez
  • Previous Owner Victorina Lopez Hilario, Susan Rowley
  • Received from Susan Rowley

  • Made in Xochistlahuaca

  • Creation Date during 2023
  • Ownership Date before October 28, 2023, before November 16, 2023
  • Acquisition Date on November 16, 2023

  • Condition excellent
  • Accession Number 3651/0002