An Early Zunu Embroidered Manta/Dress

Item: 1265

Origins: Zuni
Date:  Circa 1860

Media: Wool

Dimensions: 56″ by 41″

Description: This is an early Zuni embroidered dress originally collected by Roy H. Robinson from Emilia Pinto on July 28, 1925.  When I received it, it still had the stitching to make it into a dress.  Red yarn was used to sew it up.  These yarns have been removed and retained, and the dress opened up to its full size.   The wear patterns are apparent.  The lower half, where the person sat down, shows the most thinning and it was here that very minor restoration was preformed.  The handle of this manta is very light and this is the most thin Zuni embroidered manta I have ever seen. The deep indigo blue yarns are all present, those embroidered and those used as a part of the selvage.  There is minimal embroidery along the side edges, and this fact may point to an earlier date. Later ones typically show added embroidery features along the sides.

The entire manta was woven in a diagonal twill pattern. Once completed and removed from the loom, the embroidery was added.  Evidence shows that different yarns were used at different times to sewn up the manta as a dress.

Condition:  Condition is excellent with thinned areas.  It is incredible that all four, original, button corner knots are present. There is minor restoration to two thinned areas in the center of the body.

Provenance: Roy H. Robinson collection. Affixed with paper tag inscribed: Zuni Emilia Pinto 7/28/25

Price: On request