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Zapotec Banded Pictorial Woven Wool Rug

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:250.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 800.00 USD
Zapotec Banded Pictorial Woven Wool Rug
Offered in this lot is a Zapotec Banded Pictorial Wool Rug. This exceptional rug incorporates traditional Diamantes in a parallel border design, while the neutral background features centered images of eight deer paired in two ascending groups facing each other. Sage green, cranberry red, light and dark brown are the primary colours utilized. Zapotec Indians hand-weave each piece in small villages around the Oaxacan Valley of Southern Mexico. All items are authentic 100% wool and are hand-woven using the classic Spanish floor looms. With the arrival of the Spaniards, the weaving process was revolutionized. The Spaniards brought sheep, so weavings could be made from wool, the spinning wheel allowed the yarn to be made much more quickly and the treadle loom allowed for the creation of larger pieces than it was possible to make on the backstrap loom. The wool is spun and carded by hand, and then dyed in large pots over open fires. Colors are created from vegetable and aniline dyes. The Zapotec Indians are famous for their weavings. The traditional designs are based on Pre-Hispanic patterns, such as the "grecas" geometric patterns from Mitla archaeological site, and the Zapotec diamond.
This Zapotec rug is in good overall condition, the colours are still vibrant, no obvious marring noted. Measures 50"W x 75"L