Chuspa. Circa 1970.

Chuspa. Weaver: Paula Vargas. Chorcán, Humahuaca Department, Jujuy Province. Circa 1970.

Small bag designed to transport coca leaves. Almost square in shape, its body was woven in dyed sheep's wool, with three bands of rhombuses (eyes or "ñawi"), alternated with flat and striped bands, with the use of purple, red, green, blue and white. The tiny bag is enriched by the addition of five sets of decorative fringes, a resource also applied to the strap. The piece is in very good condition, hardly discolored. Measures. Width: 14cm. Height: 13 cm. Strap length: 80 cm.

The chuspas constitute one of the most complex products of the textile crafts of the most remote Argentine northwest; We include in this region the Puna of Jujuy and Salta, the Quebrada de Humahuaca, and the sub-Andean valleys of the Zenta and Santa Victoria mountain ranges. This particular chuspa comes from Chorcán, the town where the movie “The Internal Debt” was filmed (directed by Miguel Ángel Pereira, with Juan José Camero and actors from Jujuy), located 4000 meters above sea level. It was acquired in 1997, the collector registered the name of the weaver, Paula Vargas, and by her words, dated her weaving to 1970.