artisan goods

Geometric shapes come together to form a tz'ikin or bird in this gorgeous cushion cover from Women United for Artisan Development. The bird represents good fortune in Maya cosmology. Artisans weave the ivory cushion cover on a traditional loom with accents of blue, green and yellow. The plain back features a zipper opening for inserting a cushion.

"Kot, the two-headed eagle is featured in many traditional Guatemalan weaves and ceremonial dresses," say artisans from Women United for Artisan Development as they explain their inspiration for this cushion cover. In Maya cosmogony - indeed in many pre-Hispanic cultures - the bicephalous eagle represents a great female deity with a head to attend good and one to evil; a head that sees toward the heavens, and one toward earth, and a head to see forward and one to see back. This cotton cushion cover in a versatile alabaster color hue featuring a sienna composition featuring the eagle and other birds. Cording defines the borders, and the back features a zipper closure.

A symbol of old Siam, elephants are a favorite in Thailand. This cheerful pachyderm is intended to bring good luck. Painted by hand, it adorns a generous front pocket on a cotton sling tote. By Jiap Rojjana, the bag is fully lined and an inner pocket with zipper keeps small items handy. Both the outer pocket and the purse close with coconut shell buttons.

Because each is an individual work of embroidery art, colors and motifs may vary slightly according to the artisan's inspiration.

A symbol of old Siam, elephants are a favorite in Thailand. This cheerful pachyderm is intended to bring good luck. Painted by hand, it adorns a generous front pocket on a cotton sling tote. By Jiap Rojjana, the bag is fully lined and an inner pocket with zipper keeps small items handy. Yellow cords and rain tree wood beads adorn the strap, and both the outer pocket and the purse close with coconut shell buttons.

Because each is an individual work of embroidery art, colors and motifs may vary slightly according to the artisan's inspiration.