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Man's Wool Vest Capixay

Manufacturer: N/A

SKU: G-T-MC-1

Price: $40.00
This item is in stock

This ca. 1960 man's overgarment is from the village of San Marcos la Laguna, on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala's southern highlands. The woman I bought it from lives in the village next door, San Pablo la Laguna. She called it chaleco which means vest. The literature on Mayan garments refers to these as coton or capixay depending on the size or village. Usually they have attached arms, and this garment shows a few loose threads which may indicate the past presence of such. The textile is plain (twill?) weave of coarse black natural wool, a single panel 26 inches wide and 54 inches long. The front lower edge is hemmed, the longer back is fringed. Embroidery design was added using a needle. These garments have not been used in this part of Guatemala since the 1960s, so it must have been stored for a long time.

Measurements: approximately 26 inches wide (average) and 54 inches long.

Condition: Good, moderately used, some soil and stains are visible in the photo. There is some wear to spots about the size of a quarter on the front, which have been worn to form breaks in the fabric. Still, this is a very good example of the garments from this area from 40-60 years ago.

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