While we were visiting Peru just a ceek or so ago I bought this arpillera at the markets in Aguas Calientes, en route to Machu Picchu ( think I finally have the spelling of that one right – I have seen it every way you can think of)

These deslightful needlework pieces come in a range of sizes and complexity, and therefore, cost. I have seen similar works from KI think vietnam, qwhere the subject as i nthis one is depiction of some aspect of daily life or flora and fauna of the region – all were available, but I thought this one was wonderful. Up near the RH cloud in the top picture is sewn the word ‘mercado’ meaning market. Against a backdrop of the clear skies and bold clouds we experienced, a typical building from that part of the Andes, some of the plants, people in dress costume dancing, and the llamas you see everywhere is a crowded market scene. Fruit and veggies, meats, fabrics, shoes, clothes, sewing notions, flowers, baskets, jewellery, brooms, musical instruments and more, are al crowded onto the market area, just as in real life.

I love the dancing ficures. We went to a musical evening in Cuzco and enjoyed quite a number of of dances, most of which were al;ong formation formall movement lines, and this is exactly what the figures are doing, accompanied by a pipe player, see upper left edge of this detail shot.