Shigra bag

Exterior

Exterior

Name/Title

Shigra bag

Entry/Object ID

2023.2.50

Description

Handwoven shigra bag with indigo and tan geometric patterns and motifs of llamas and a house. Small hole at the center of the bottom.

Context

"Shigra" is the Indigenous word for a traditional looped bag made from Furcraea plant fiber, probably used in Ecuador since pre-Hispanic times. These types of bags are made with concentric buttonhole stitches using a large needle.

Collection

Dorothy "Ann" Helm Collection

Category

Bags

Acquisition

Accession

2023.2

Made/Created

Place

Country

Ecuador

Continent

South America

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Country

Ecuador

Continent

South America

Lexicon

Getty AAT

Concept

pouches, bags (generic containers)

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Body

Height

21.5 cm

Dimension Description

Strap

Height

38 cm

Materials

Material

Plant Fiber

Material Notes

There are many local terms for the specific fiber. The used fibers usually belongs to Furcraea or Agave genus.

Color

Tan, Indigo

Location

Box

Box 14

Room

Storage Unit

Research Notes

Notes

Miller, Laura M, Mrill Ingram, Ann Pollard Rowe, and Lynn A Meisch. “Leaf Fibers in Highland Ecuador.” Textile Museum journal 42-43 (2003): 56–75.