Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Belt | e'ninne
Date: 1920s
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
167.6 x 7.6 cm (66 x 3 in.)
Medium: wool | dyes
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1929.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.T88
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksOctavius Seowtewa during collection review visit Nov. 16 and 17, 2009 (see Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 3”): This type of belt was used by many pueblos and can be said to be of a “pan-Pueblo” design. It was an item of daily use, used by Pueblo women as a tie around the waist over the mantas that were used as dresses in the past. This item is still used in the same manner today, though it is no longer a part of everyday dress. The catalog number tag on this belt is sewn to the front side and should be moved to the back side.
Rather than the regular red, green, and black, this belt is red, green, and dark purple. Mr. Seowtewa explained that this occurred because in order to create a stable black color with the dyes used at the time this belt was made, it was necessary to dye the yarns red first and then black. If they were only dyed black, the black would fade to purple when the fabric was washed. This is what happened with this piece and that explains why it is purple where it would normally be black.
In Collection(s)
Bibliography:
The Indian Arts Research Center, in collaboration with Native American community scholars, strives to present accurate collections records. Records may be updated as new information becomes available and is reviewed with the Native American community having cultural affinity to particular items. Please write to iarc@sarsf.org if you have questions or concerns related to the documentation.