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A BEAUTIFULLY IMPRESSIVE AYMARA INDIAN
MALE CH´UTA DANCE ENSEMBLE

TS196

This offer consists of an impressive Qakiyawiri-style Aymara Indian male dance costume worn during Native American ch’uta dances. This is an older set dating to the late-1960´s with colorful, embroidered designs. This particular style was popular from about 1950 to the early 1970´s. The ch’uta dance began in the 1920´s as a mockery of Spanish-Bolivian encomenderos (hacienda owners). Spanish bullfighting suits provided the idea for the original male costumes. Male dancers only speak in high-pitched voices that portray the obsequious nature of peons on haciendas. Numerous stylistic changes in male costumes reflect different cultural values, material importations and technological modifications over the past 100 years or so. Most contemporary ch´uta presentations are folkloric renditions of an original Aymara Indian creation. This costume is an original version of traditional native dance paraphernalia for the period.

The provenance of the custome is greater Caquiaviri Pueblo, elevation about 13,000 feet, Pacajes Province, Bolivian Plateau, Department of La Paz, Plurinational State of Bolivia, South America.

Construction of the set incorporated the use of real woolen cloth lined with gingham flour sacks. A pair of colorful eagles descending on curve-stemmed flowers on a red field decorate the front of the pants. The back of the jacket has a similar embroidered eagle on a berry-colored field. Flowers and geometric motifs including connecting inclined Greek frets and denticulate arcs and triangles complete the costume´s decorations. Satin ribbons enhance the back of the pants, which have a rich, teal blue field. A smaller adult Andean Indian wore the costume. This is an excellent example of Aymara Indian ch’uta regalia for the period. These old costumes are increasingly more difficult to acquire.

Late-20th century, circa 1968-1970.

The materials for constructing the jacket and pants include: berry pink (fuchsia) and teal blue woolen cloth, satin cloth, lightweight and heavyweight gingham cloth, wool and cotton trade yarn, fine rickrack and satin ribbon

The jacket is 19 1/2 inches high; the shoulders are 16 1/2 inches wide. The pants are 33 1/2 inches long; the waist is 13 inches wide at its narrowest.

The condition is EXCELLENT, lightly used condition.

All of the colors are strong and there are no major stains or fading. There are loose sewing strings here and there. The rickrack is a little loose in a couple of places. Some of the yellow satin edging is a little dirty and lightly frayed in places. There are no rips or worn spots. The costume is bright, clean and wearable.

Free Shipping to The United States. $35 to other countries.

TALISMANSOUTH AND ANDESAMAZON "DATING" TERMS:

PREHISTORIC, PRE-COLUMBIAN, ANCIENT = Before around A.D. 1500.
18TH CENTURY = A.D. 1700 to 1799.
19th CENTURY = 1800 to 1899.
TURN-OF-THE-19TH-CENTURY = 1890 to 1910.
EARLY-20TH CENTURY = 1900 to 1933.
MID-20TH CENTURY = 1934 to 1966.
LATE-20TH CENTURY = 1967 to 1999.
TURN-OF-THE-20TH-CENTURY = 1995 to 2005.
EARLY-21ST CENTURY = 2000 to Present.
COLONIAL = A.D. 1532 to 1825.
ANTIQUE = Over 50 years old.
VINTAGE = Over 30 years old.
CONTEMPORARY = Made in the last 5 years.
CIRCA = "Approximately/around/within a few years of."

TALISMANSOUTH AND ANDESAMAZON TEXTILE “CONDITION” TERMS:

Terms used to describe the physical condition of textiles is often subjective and varies greatly from one observer to another. What certain dealers identify as “mint” condition, we call “good”; what some call “excellent” condition, we call “fair.” Following are explanations of the terms we use.

MINT = Like new. Unused -- as if recently removed from the loom. No wear or patina of any kind. These textiles may have “nubs” or even loose, uncut threads left over from the weaving process.
EXCELLENT = Usually only lightly used, often well-guarded or stored for many years. Some textiles might exhibit insignificant, light wear, staining or soiling from use. Older textiles commonly show, patina and sheen from age. The colors may have muted ever so slightly due to age or exposure, often improving the beauty of a textile. From a displayable distance, textiles appear perfect.
VERY GOOD = Usually lightly or only periodically used. The textiles often lightly but evenly worn with no tears or distracting holes. Older textiles may exhibit lightly darkened surfaces from use and age (staining and soiling) or with lightly noticeable discoloration. At a displayable distance, textiles appear in outstanding condition.
GOOD = Usually moderately to well-used. Light to medium staining, either isolated or throughout, represents a common characteristic of this condition. Parts of the textile may feature tiny holes from wear, occasionally exposing hidden warp or weft yarns. Lightly frayed edges often manifest in these textiles. Surface discoloration due to age and exposure often improves the appearance of a textile in “GOOD” condition. Light or isolated, dye “run” occasionally appears. Textiles display well, despite minor damage.
FAIR = Either well-used or moderately abused. “Bleeding” or dye “run” as well as extensive wear characterize these textiles. Missing sections of fringe, tassels or edges often result from overuse. Many 20th-century weavings exhibit noticeably faded colors. Textiles in otherwise excellent condition may contain a single isolated sector of damage, such as a large hole, that greatly reduces its aesthetic appeal. Most vintage tribal textiles for sale in the Western Hemisphere constitute those in “FAIR” to “GOOD” condition.
POOR = Textiles exhibiting extreme usage and damage. These pieces do not display well and serve primarily as study specimens or examples of very rare textiles.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT