Woman's ceremonial mantle (iscayo) c. mid 19th century

Editor: Here we have an Aymara "Woman's Ceremonial Mantle" – an *iscayo*, they call it – dating from the mid-19th century. It’s a woven textile with horizontal stripes. It looks pretty simple at first glance, but there's something powerful in its symmetry. What story does this piece tell? Curator: This iscayo speaks volumes about the Aymara women's role in society and their mastery of textile art. A garment like this isn't just about personal adornment; it’s a symbol of cultural identity and status within the community. How do you think the weaving itself plays a role in reinforcing these social structures? Editor: Well, I imagine the time and skill required to create such a piece would immediately set it apart as something special, right? It couldn't be an everyday object. Curator: Precisely. The geometric patterns and color choices—the indigo and cochineal dyes—they would have conveyed specific meanings understood within the Aymara culture. Think of textiles as a form of visual language. And consider the act of weaving itself. Weaving can become a shared act of communal participation and support. It would reaffirm relationships and transmit cultural knowledge across generations. Editor: So, the act of creation becomes just as significant as the finished product? Curator: Absolutely. Museums have historically framed such weavings purely as aesthetic objects, divorced from their original context. However, viewing them as integral to Aymara social life—considering the politics of displaying indigenous art—allows us a richer understanding. It humanizes both the artist and their community. Editor: That's a valuable insight. I’ll certainly view textiles with a broader lens now, thinking about how the museum plays into this piece's interpretation. Curator: Hopefully, it provides a richer view. Thinking about both cultural history and its contemporary exhibition provides a much deeper appreciation of not only the art, but also the art world in its historical context.