Zapotec Woven Rug Geometric Patterns and Neutral Dyes Southern Mexico

Zapotec Hand Woven Rug, Geometric Patterns and Neutral Dyes, Southern Mexico.

The Central Valleys of Oaxaca is the Cradle of the Zapotec Civilization.

In Oaxaca, you can visit the home studios of weaving families and see all the hard work that goes into creating these works of art. Most of the Oaxacan rugs and tapestries are made in Teotitlan del Valle, a village located some 30 km east of Oaxaca City.

This village of about 5000 inhabitants has rightly gained worldwide fame for its production of woollen rugs and tapestries. 

History of Zapotec Weaving

The village of Teotitlan del Valle has a long weaving tradition that dates back to Prehispanic times. It is known that the Zapotec people of Teotitlan paid tribute to the Aztecs in woven goods, although the weaving of that time was quite different from today. In ancient America there were no sheep, so no wool, most of the weavings were made of cotton. The tools of the trade were also very different, as there were no spinning wheels or treadle looms in ancient Mesoamerica.

Most weavings were done on a backstrap loom, which is still used today in some locations. 

Item Code - TEX1D219PVC

Width: 15 1/2"  Length: 23 1/2"  Depth: 1/4"  Weight: 228 g