This small textile is a sample of traditional Maya weaving, possibly serving as a napkin or just as a sampler.  Maya textiles are more typically created as large pieces of fabric, intended to be made into traditional clothing, that are hand-woven on a backstrap loom.  This piece is striped in different colors of traditionally hand-dyed cotton, but because of global trade, today Maya textiles may incorporate threads of rayon, silk, or metallic materials.  In addition, this piece has been embroidered with a bird, a common Maya motif.

For more information, you may contact the researcher(s) noted in the title of this exhibit entry, or Dr. Billie Follensbee, the professor of the course, at BillieFollensbee@MissouriState.edu