one of two huipil panels, unknown maker from Guatemala

Worn by Indigenous women throughout Central America for centuries, a huipil is typically made from two or three rectangular pieces of fabric stitched together to form a boxy shirt or tunic. These portions of a huipil were likely collected by Sallie Casey Thayer on a trip to Guatemala in 1916. As in this example, huipils are typically made of cotton and are often decorated with
embroidery, ribbon, or designs woven directly into the fabric. These embellishments can communicate history, cultural identity, or something personal about the wearer. Techniques and designs are typically passed down from mother to daughter, and girls begin to learn the craft of making huipils when they are young. Today the huipil remains one of the most common female indigenous garments in use.