Using a back strap loom, textile artists across the highland communities craft fabrics that have an incredible hand feel and weight. These table dressings were all woven by hand using back strap looms that allow the artisan great mobility throughout their day. The embroidered 5 Diamond design represents a cosmogram. The viewer is looking straight down on the image of the 4 cardinal directions and the central diamond represents the lowest point under the Earth where the Sun passes and is called the nadir.

We have spent this past year based in San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas in southern Mexico. Our time has been focused on building artistic relationships and expanding our understanding of the region. Chiapas is one of the top producing regions of cacao in modern day Mexico as it has been traditionally for thousands of years. As chocolate makers we have had the honor to produce Fortuna chocolate with this very special legacy crop and are excited to share additional items crafted by indigenous community in Chiapas.

The Santo Domingo market in San Cristóbal De Las Casas is a sprawling labyrinth of tarps and stalls selling handmade art. Situated on the steps of a large colonial church, indigenous Mayan artisans from the highland regions sell the art made in their communities as well as items crafted on site at the marketplace. Each item is unique and you can expect variations as a testament to the presence of a human hand in each piece.

Size: 48” x 14.5”