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Object Timeline

1950

  • Work on this object ended.

1976

  • We acquired this object.

2007

2014

2018

2025

  • You found it!

Huipil (blouse) (Mexico)

This is a Huipil (blouse). It is dated 1900–1950 and we acquired it in 1976. Its medium is cotton and its technique is discontinuous supplementary wefts in a plain in a plain weave foundation; supplementary warp in center panel. It is a part of the Textiles department.

The pattern on this traditional women’s huipil is made with magenta threads colored with the shellfish dye of the marine snail pilcopurpura pansa. Mixtec men activate the snail’s defense mechanism by manually irritating a gland, causing it to release a liquid that is then applied directly to the cotton thread.

This object was donated by Max Saltzman. It is credited Gift of Max Saltzman.

Our curators have highlighted 2 objects that are related to this one.

Its dimensions are

H x W: 64.8 × 81.3 cm (25 1/2 in. × 32 in.)

Cite this object as

Huipil (blouse) (Mexico); cotton; H x W: 64.8 × 81.3 cm (25 1/2 in. × 32 in.); Gift of Max Saltzman; 1976-45-1

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Saturated: The Allure and Science of Color.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18490813/ |title=Huipil (blouse) (Mexico) |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=6 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>