Lot #139: Hopi | Handwoven Ceremonial Man’s Kilt with Germantown Wool Embroidery | Circa Early–Mid 20th Century

Historical Context & Origin Region: American Southwest, likely Hopi Pueblo Culture Material: Hand-spun and commercial wool textile with “Germantown” wool embroidery Period: Early–Mid 20th Century Description This finely woven ceremonial textile is believed to represent a traditional Hopi man’s kilt, featuring a handwoven cream-colored ground accented with vibrant geometric embroidery executed in commercial “Germantown” wool. The textile displays bold red, green, black, and white stepped motifs positioned at each end, accompanied by black edge detailing and tasseled corner ties. Hopi ceremonial kilts were traditionally worn during ritual dances and important communal ceremonies, often symbolizing spiritual balance, agricultural fertility, and ancestral traditions. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, commercially traded Germantown yarn became incorporated into Pueblo weaving traditions, allowing artisans to create increasingly vivid and complex decorative patterns while preserving traditional forms and symbolism. The combination of hand-spun weaving and imported wool embroidery reflects an important transitional period in Pueblo textile history where Indigenous craftsmanship adapted new materials into longstanding ceremonial traditions. Features - Handwoven textile construction - Decorative “Germantown” wool embroidery - Traditional geometric Pueblo motifs - Corner tassel ties and black border detailing - Strong ceremonial and ethnographic character - Excellent wall display or collection piece Cultural Significance Ceremonial kilts played an important role within Hopi ritual life and were commonly worn during dances, seasonal ceremonies, and communal gatherings. The geometric motifs woven into these textiles often carried symbolic meanings connected to spirituality, rain, fertility, migration, and harmony with the natural world. Condition Displays age-related wear, light discoloration, visible staining, minor fraying, and irregularities consistent with age and traditional use. Overall well preserved with strong visual presentation. Age (Approximate) 75–100 years old Provenance Private collection Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Acquired by the current owner in 2026. Dimensions: Length: 52 in x Width: 22 in Pickup category timeslot {A} Price Estimate: CAD 650 - 1200 Ships from Toronto, ON. No local pickup. Buyer arranges shipping and insurance directly with seller after auction closes.