Classic Era Hopi Maiden Shawl or Manta Circa 1850

Hopi

Circa 1850 | Wool, Cotton | Item 1989

It’s rare to find an early and exceptional, classic Hopi maiden shawl like this one. The unravelled bayeta to make up the fine red weft comes from the early, lac dyed wool cloth that was imported to American during the first half of the 19the century. The Hopi would unravel this wool cloth and use these fine yarns in the shawl. These are typically woven by a male family member, often by an uncle. As seen in the photos, this red weft is highly worsted, smooth, shiny with long, parallel fibers. This red area is all done in a diagonal twill. The upper and lower most borders are indigo weft woven as diamond twill. The body of the shawl is hand spun cotton warp and weft. The selvages are existing with minor restoration.