Shirt for a man

1965

A cotón is a men's shirt with sleeves, called a 'koto' in the Mixtec. The shirt is not a pre-colonial garment but a post-colonial variation on the clothing of the Spaniards. The cotón comes down to the waist, with the sleeves extending just above the wrists. \Hand-spun white cotton, in flat weave. Garment consists of three panels: one center panel and two side panels, with sleeves attached to the side panels. In the middle of the cotón runs a horizontal wide purple band, probably due to caracol (purple from purple snail). At the bottom edge of this band there is a row of animal figures. At the upper edge of this band there is a row of geometrical figures. Approx. 5 cm under the previous are human figures and approx. 5 cm above are bird motifs. \The neck opening is cut out in a rectangle, which is finished with embroidery in the colors red, blue and purple thread, with four triangular shapes on both shoulders and back and front. A white cotton cord with three wool tassels in the colors red and green is connected at the center of the neck opening.‖ It is worn with pants and a belt. \Christensen description:Men's shirtHandspun white cotton, with purple dye ('tuna' or 'fuchina') ─ Multicoloured commercial yarn used for embroidery ─Acquired 1965 Mexico City.Dimensions: L: 51 cm W: 63 cm Dimensions sleeves: L: 44 cm W: 15 cmDescription: Handspun white cotton, plain weave with purple 'tuna' or 'fuchina' dye. Garment consists of three panels: one centre panel and two side panels, with sleeves attached to side panels. The centre panel has two purple woven-in cross bands (7x44 cm) on both back and front. These are separated by a narrow, 1 cm wide white band, which has now turned purple by running colours. The centre panel is decorated with purple brocaded cross bands of human, animal, bird and geometrical designs. Hem of garment is decorated with red cotton yarn with multi-coloured zigzag embroidery below. \A square has been cut out to form the neck opening which is finished with embroidery in red, blue and purple yarn, with four triangular shapes on both shoulders and back and front. Also on back and front a white cotton cord with three woollen tassels in red and green is attached to the centre of neck opening.\nThis piece has been used for feasts with trousers vide 5075-103 and belt vide 5075-104.\nProvenience: Ixtayutla, Dist. of Jamiltepec, Oax.