Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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98
- '
99
AMUZGO. 98: Flower moti fs arranged within crossed ba nds. Woma n's tunic.
99: Double-headed eagles, smallbirds and geometricunits, arranged within crossed
bands.Woman'stunic. 38
100
101
AMUZGO. 100, 101: Abstract design motifs arranged within crossed bands. Woman's
tunic. 39
102
40 MESTiZO. 102: Tree-of-Life design. Embroidery sampler.
186.95iO
104
103
105
MESTIZO. 103-105: Double-headed eagle, crown and pair of crowned lions. Embroidery
sampler.
41
106 107 108
109
NAHUA. 106-108: Simple cross -bands motifs. Traditional neck-opening decoration on
old-style woman's shoulder cape. 109: Conventionalized diamond-and-hooks motifs.
Old-style woman's shoulder cape. 42
110
112
113
NAHUA. 110-112: Free-standing traditional design motif utilizing cross bands. Old-style
woman's shoulder cape. 113: Conventionalized S-motif with serrated edge . Woman's
shoulder cape. 43
114
115
NAHUA. 114, 115: Free-standing motifs utilizing cross-band desi gns in diamond
arrangements. Old-stylewoman's shouldercape.
44
U6
U7
liS
NAHUA. 116: Free-standing design with diamond motif. Old-style woman's shoulder
cape. 117: Bilateral arrangements of diamonds, chevrons and S-units, paired and
countered. Old-styleskirtband. 118: Zigzaglineenclosingchevronswithhooks along
edge. Old-style skirt band. 45
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119
N AHUA. 119: Large free-standing bird with elaborate plumage, holding a flower in its
beak. Old-style woman's shoulder cape.
120
121
122
123
NAHUA. 120,121:Free-standinganimalmotifs, the lionheavilydecoratedwith afloral
motif. Old-style skirt band. 122: Geometric borderofserratedzigzags, trianglesand
narrowcross stripes. Old-style woman's shouldercape. 123: Vinemotifcomposedof
steppedsquaresand highlystylizedfloralelements. Woman'sshouldercape. 47
124
125
NAHUA. 124: Flower and plant motif, emerging from a vase. Woman's shoulder cape.
125: Border pattern of octagonal frames containing a large turkey, a smaller bird and
various geometric and floral motifs. Skirt band. 48
127 128
NAHUA. 126: Large 8-pointed star with paired and countered 5, Z and cross forms
within each quadrant. Old-st yle woman's shoulder cape . 127: Free-standing highly
st ylized floral pattern. Old-style woman's shoulder cape. 128: Corner motif exhibiting
highly stylized flower-and-Ieai patt ern. Old-st yle woman's shoulder cape. 49
: 1.-;
: / C
129
..
..
NAHUA. 129: Free-standing comer motif with stylized floral pattern. Old-style woman's
shoulder cape. 130: Diagonal comer pattern of 8-pointed star having paired and coun-
tered Sand Z-forms within sections; stylized floral motifs and geometric bands accentu-
ate the diagonal arrangement. Woman's shoulder cape. 50
186950
132
131
133
134
N AHUA. 131: Elaboratel y compos ed corner motif of floral pattern, bilaterally arranged.
Old-style woman's shoulder cape. 132: Border pattern showing st ylized vine and flower
motif; above, a stylized Tree-of-Life motif. Skirt. 133: Lower border exhibits series of
slanting S and Z-units; above, a Tree-of-Life motif. Skirt. 134: Corner motif exhibiting
bilateral arrangement of stylized floral pattern. Old-style woman's shoulder cape. 51
135
NAHUA. 135: Free-standing bilateral floral pattern with two borders, the upper showing
countered step motifs, the lower composed of small cross elements arranged to form
larger crosses in a repeating pattern. Old-style woman's shoulder cape . 52
---
- ..
_.-
136 137 138
NAHUA. 136-138: Variants of repeating geometric patterns incorporating 5, Z and
X-motifs. Old-styleheadband. 53
139
140
NAHUA. 139: Designshowing deer, bird, human figure and floral elements. Woman's
54 blouse. 140:Zigzagpattern with hooksandtriangles. Bag.
141
142
143
NAHUA. 141: Geometric vine motif with spirals and stylized flowers . Sash .
142: Diamond-and-hook motif. Sash. 143: Rowof diamond-and-hook motifs. Woman's
shoulder cape. 55
144
145
NAHUA. 144:Zigzagpatternwithstepped-fretmotif.Old-styleheadband. 145:Pairof
stylizedvine motifscontainingspiralelements. Woman's shouldercape. 56
146
NAHUA. 146: Highly conventionalized floral and plant motif with hummingbird at top
left. Old-style long shawl. 57
147
148
NAHUA. 147: Conventionalized plant, flower and fruit elements, growing from vase.
Old-style long shawl. 148: Border design of vine with floral motifs interspersed with
hummingbirds. Old-style long shawl. 58
149
150
NAHUA. 149: Animal figure (dogi ) with head turned backwards. Old -styl e sash.
150:Pairofhumanfigures. Old- st ylesash. 59
-----
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- - .- . .
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151
152
153
154
ZAPOTEC. 151-154: Human figure with elaborate stylized headdress, and a variety of
geometric figures: Sash. 60
155
156
ZAPOTEC. 155: Row of dolls, geometric figures and a prancing animal with a monkey
balancing on its tail. Woman's tunic. 156: Cross bands containing 8-pointed stars with
X-units centered in them; they alternate with pairs of birds . Rare old woman's tunic. 61
157
158
159
ZAPOTEC. 157: Geometric motif of diamonds with serrated borders. Old woman's tunic.
158: Stylized plant form (corn?). Old woman's tunic. 159: Zigzag motif with serrated
borders. Old-style head covering. 62
161
160
162
163
165
164
ZAPOTEC. 160-1 65:Various animals (horses, dogs, goat, mule). Woman's tunic and
head covering. 63
168
166
167
170
169
..
173
172
174
ZAPOTEC. 166-174: Geometric motifs, and eagles, one of which is double-headed.
Woman's tunic.
171
64
175
176
ZAPOTEC. 175:Eagle flanked by geometric units. Old woman 's tunic. 176: Doubl e-
headed eagle flanked by sta rs.Woman's tunic. 65
-- -- ---
177
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178 179 180
MIXTECO. 177-180: Simple geometric shapes withincross bands; motifs are reminis-
66 cent ofstonemosaicsat Mitlaruins. Woman's tunic.
181
555 ::
182 183 184
185
MlXTECO. 181-185 :Elaborations of repeated geometric desi gns incorporatingstepped-
fret a nd diamondmotifs.Mitl a-likedesi gns. Woman'stunic. 67
187
186
188
190
189
MlXTECO. 186-190: Variety of stylized flora l motifs. Woman's tunic. 68
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191
MlXTECO . 191: Large pattern consist ing of zigzag lines, stylized floral motifs and
geometric unit s. Woman's tunic. 69
192
193
194
MlXTECO. 192: Row of 8-pointed stars. 193: Row of highly stylized birds in flight.
194:Rowofdiamondswith serratededges.All fromheadcoverings. 70
195
196
71 MlXTECO. 195,196:Variantsofmultiheadedbirds. Woman's tunic.
198
199
MIXTECO. 197-199:Prancing animals with longtails. Woman'stunic.
72
200 201
202
203
204 205
MrXTECO. 200-202: Various animals (rodent, iguana?) standing or prancing.
203: Plant with birds . 204, 205:Male and female figures. All from woman's tunic. 73
186950
206
M AZATEC. 206: Narrow cross bands containing repeated diamond shapes separating
wider bands; one exhibits alternating bird and leaf motifs, the other shows graceful
geometric motifs. Old-style woman' s shoulder cape. 74
208
MAZATEC. 207: Floral and leaf pattern. Woman's tunic. 208: Plant growing from the
ground, artfully concealing a crested bird. Woman's tunic. 75
209
210
211
MAZATEC. 209: Repeating pattern of five interlocking, serrated spirals, the fourth
contrasting in color with the others; example of "blond serpent" motif. Wraparound
skirt. 210,211: Variantsofdiagonalbandswithhookorspiralmotifs.Woman'stunic. 76
212 213
C UICATEC. 212: Wide cross bands containing repeating diamond-within-diamond
pattern with hook motifs at edges. Mortu ary sheet. 213: Geometric pattern of vine and
spirals. Woman's tuni c. 77
214
215
CUICATEC. 214: Wide zigzag line with serrated edges, symbolizing feathered serpent.
Woman's tunic. 215: Pattern of parallelograms set diagonally to form zigzag arrange-
ment ; inside are placed hook motifs; chevrons and serrated lines fill triangular areas.
Woman's tunic. 78
216
217
CHINANTEC. 216: Pattern of diamond-within-diamond, hook and spiral units, and
stepped diagonals. Woman's tunic. 217: Pairs of zigzag lines from which emerge angu -
lar spiral motifs. Woman's tunic.
79
218
219
220
221
222
80
CHINANTEC. 218: Bilateral stepped-fret
221: Example of Flower of Powder motif.
woman's tunic.
motif. 219, 220: Variants of
222: Example of serpent motif.
S-motif.
All from
223
224
MlXE. 243: Rows of stylized dogs and flowers. Woman's tunic. 224: Rows of stylized
animals (faxes?) and butterflies. Woman's tunic. 81
225
226
MlXE. 225: Anthropomorphic figures exhibiting animal characteristics (beak? crest?).
Woman's tunic. 226: Combination of flower-like motifs set over countered and paired
abstract designs (bats? butterfliesi). Woman's tunic. 82
---------
227
228
MlXE. 227: Bird-like anthropomorphic figures with count ered and paired triangles.
Woman's tunic. 228: Large pattern of serrated diamond-within-di amond mot if
surrounding bird-like anthropomorphic figures and a double-Hmotif. Woman 's tunic. 83
.1
229
MrXE. 229: Irregular arrangement of serrated diamond-within-diamond motif.
Woman's tunic. 84
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CHATINO. 230: Conventionalizedvinemotif.Yokeforwoman'sblouse. 231,232:Free-
standing geometric shapes. Square cloth used for covering food, or for ceremonial
purposes. 85
233
234
CHONTAL. 233: Large diamond-within-diamond and hook-motif pattern. Ceremonial
cloth. 234:Crossband depictingzigzag, chevronandhook motifs. Ceremonial cloth. 86
235
236
237
238
CHONTAL. 235-238: Various patterned cross bands showing geometric and stylized
floral motifs. Ceremonialaltarcloth. 87
239
CHONTAL. 239:Alternatingbird and flowermotifs. Woman's blouse. 88
240
241
242
TZOTZIL. 240-242:Variouscrossbandscontaining diamonds, angularspirals, zigzag
linesand hookmotifs.Woman'stunic. 89
243
244
TZOTZIL. 243: Central diamond giving rise to paired spirals emerging from each corner.
Shawl. 244: Border of zigzag lines and angular spirals with serrated edges. Shawl. 90
245
246
247
TZOTZIL. 245-247: Threeexampl esof"monkey" motif. Old woman'stunic. 91
250
248
249
251
252
TZOTZIL. 248, 250: Small X-motifs with hooks curved inwards. Shawl. 249: Small
design of diamond motifs forming a cross . Shawl. 251, 252: Variants of st ylized monkey
motif. Woman'sshoulder cape. 92
Irmgard Weitlaner-Johnson
MEXICAN INDIAN
FOLK DESIGNS
252 Motifs from Textiles
This fascinating b ook is the product of int ensive scholarly research, its exacting
illustr ati ons based on choi ce examples of Mexican Indian textiles in many diff er ent
museums and privat e coll ections. Incorporating abstract and geome tric forms as
well as highl y stylized images of flowers, pl ants, anima ls, birds and humans, the
patterns represent more than twenty major Mexic an Indian cultures.
Among the designs are a two-headed feather ed serpent fr om the Hui chol culture,
an allover pattern dominated by horizontal zigzags wo ven by the Otorni, and a
flower and leaf design from the Tepehua. The Huast eco people ar e represented by
a bold motif featuring prancing animals with bushy tails; a Nahuatl design depicts a
lion with a flower in his mouth; while an elegant curvilin ear Mazatec motif features
flower s, vin es and birds. Other peoples whose art is represented include the
Tarahumara, Tepecano, Mestizo, Zapotec,. Mixt eco and Cuicatec. In the bold,
startling designs originated by these cultures are primal links to the imagery of other
cultures and traditi ons, centuries old and worldwide.
Artists, designers and cr aftspeople will value thi s modestl y priced collection as a
source of striking and unusual copyright-free desi gns for inspiration and practical
use; anyone int er est ed in Mexican Indian culture will find it an important refer ence
as well.
Original Dover (1993) sel ection of motifs from the 2-volume De sign M otifs on
Mexican Indian Textiles, published by Akademische Druck- u , VerlagsanstaIt,
Graz, Austria, 1976. Over 200 bl ack-and-white illustrations. Captions. 80pp. xII.
Paperbound.
o
o
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ALSO AVAILABLE
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OQ ' MAYA DESIGNS, Wilson G. Turner. 48pp. x 11. 24047-9 Pa. $3.95
DESIGNS FROM PRE-COLUMBIAN MEXICO, Jorge Enciso. 105pp. 6J8 x 9)t 22794-4
"
Pa. $5.95
DESIGNMOTIFSOF ANCIENT MEXICO, Jorge Enciso. 153pp. 6J8x 9Jt 20084-1 Pa. $5.95
AMERICAN INDIAN DESIGN AND DECORATION, Leroy Applet on. 279pp. xII. 22704-9
Pa. $9.95
PREHISTORIC HOPI POTTERY DESI GNS, Jesse Fewkes. 288pp. 6 x 9. 22959-9 Pa. $8.95
Free Dover Pictorial Archive Catalog avail able upon request.
.;,
A DOVER EDITION DESIGNED FOR YEARS OF USE!
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We have made every eff or t to make this the b est book possibl e. Our paper is
opa que, with minimal show-through; it will not discolor or become brittle with age.
Pages are bound in signatures, in the method traditionally used for the best books,
and will not drop out. Books open flat for easy refer ence. The binding will not crack
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or spl it. This is a permanent book.
ISBN
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$6.95 IN USA