Mantita Woman's Shawl Mantle, Juli, Dept. of Puno, 19th C. Natural dyes, alpaca. A woman’s head covering called a mantita which were often converted to men’s little ponchos (ponchitos) for use in ritual dances. This example is a very fine textile from the eastern end of Lake Titicaca and employs a range of the conceptual symbols developed over the centuries by the peoples around Lake Titicaca for communication of ideas by the pre literate cultures of the Aymara speaking tribes. Size: 3'3'' x 1'11'' (99 x 58 cm).

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