#142: Two for the Show

Last year I made a big ol’ deal when I found my perfect Chimayó jacket.  I felt pleasantly composed when I came across these two Chimayó purses, though.  Call it growing up.

The general history of the weavings can be  found here, in the jacket post.

This little blue baby was woven in the 1930′s and has a Thunderbird clasp, probably made from nickel.

(Pictured on an old, similarly colored Saltillo rug.)

According to Native lore, the thunderbird symbolizes happiness; the rattlesnake jaw and rain stampings symbolize strength and prosperity.

You can tell that this purse was woven in the 1930′s by the style of the zipper. The Talon ball-and-chain zipper was only used during the 1930′s– the purse otherwise looks identical, except in color and size, to its friend.

Grey, red and black number from the 1940′s.

The clasp with sun ray stamping symbolizes stability.

The Talon zip with the large “u-lock” at the base was only used in the 1940′s.

 

Each purse has a loop fastened to the back to sit on your belt.  Coolest fanny pack ever.

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