The show at the MMA opened this week.
Even after working for several years on the show, along with my colleagues, Amelia Peck, Melinda Watt, Joyce Denney, John Guy, Kristen Stewart and Amy Bogansky, the pieces are still amazing to see. Especially in details
Chachapoyas (Peru) Lenten curtain AMNH NY. Photo: E. Phipps
The details tell the story…. Looking at surfaces– the coarse handspun cotton of highland northern Peruvian Lenten curtain or the fine Indian cotton ground cloth for the religious hanging.
Detail: Indian dye painted religious hanging. MMA. Photo: E. Phipps
Embroidery– Chinese for export to Portugal and the West and Indian both for national and international markets– expound in colors and lines.
Detail Indian Embroidered Hanging MFA Boston. Photo: E. Phipps
Chinese for Export embroidery. Detail. Photo: E. Phipps.
“Africa” embroidered hanging– from Peru? Private Col. Photo: E. Phipps
The Mexican embroiderers mimicking the European tapestries– but with thousands of stitches, like the pure white embroidered ground cloth for the armorial hanging on one hand, and yet the refined stitching of the silk ikat rebozo figures, whose garments are embroidered with woven patterns.
Detail Mexican embroidered hanging San Antonio Museum of Art. Photo: E. Phipps
Detail Mexican Embroidered Rebozo MFA Philadelphia. Photo: E. Phipps
Lots to say and lots to see.. lots is in the catalogue… and so much more to learn.
9/12/2013
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