Josie Disterhoft Textile

Top. Wall Hanging owned by Josie DisterhoftTwentieth century, pre 1960’sAcquired in est. 1966Made by mountain tribes of MindanaoAcquired as special present from an old friend (does not recall her name).Going away present. In her possession at least fifty years.Disterhoft wrote, “The object is beautiful. Reminds me of the indigenous weavers in the Philippines - particularly the mountain tribes of Muslim areas in the southern island of Mindanao (Southern Philippines). Weavers do not work from fixed patterns. They create their own2 meter length of cloth.”Notes from Cassie Pontone, in discussion with Disterhoft: Made of abaca, wood, and dye. With age, you gain appreciation for the whole of the country and culture of the nation beyond the direct family ties. Josie is not from the south of the Philippines but has brought onlythings from Mindanao. The fact that the area of the Philippines that “we are trying to help” and “where people are afraid because it's Muslim and martial law” is where all the objects that she brought today are from. Josie notes that she only likes to keep the“best things”. She has the piece on display in her cabin in Michigan. She noted that in the same hallway there is also a hanging from Peru. An earlier conversation she noted how similar textiles look between the two countries. Nowadays people make copies of this kind ofobject. In a recent visit to Mindanao, Josie brought back yards of 1 fabric. Josie likes the transition from brown to red and that these are the results of natural dyes. Was kept in a “treasure chest” before hung up. She knew it was precious and wanted to keep it safe.Without proper display people won't appreciate them. She had an interest in Mindanao, maybe influenced why she was given it. Wishes or feels embarrassed (?) that she doesn’t know the symbolism of the imagery - “her friends would be aghast” - she should do “her ownresearch”. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this story do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. (c) Field Museum of Natural History - CC BY-NC 4.0
Copyright

(c) Field Museum of Natural History - CC BY-NC 4.0

Title Josie Disterhoft Textile
Description Top. Wall Hanging owned by Josie DisterhoftTwentieth century, pre 1960’sAcquired in est. 1966Made by mountain tribes of MindanaoAcquired as special present from an old friend (does not recall her name).Going away present. In her possession at least fifty years.Disterhoft wrote, “The object is beautiful. Reminds me of the indigenous weavers in the Philippines - particularly the mountain tribes of Muslim areas in the southern island of Mindanao (Southern Philippines). Weavers do not work from fixed patterns. They create their own2 meter length of cloth.”Notes from Cassie Pontone, in discussion with Disterhoft: Made of abaca, wood, and dye. With age, you gain appreciation for the whole of the country and culture of the nation beyond the direct family ties. Josie is not from the south of the Philippines but has brought onlythings from Mindanao. The fact that the area of the Philippines that “we are trying to help” and “where people are afraid because it's Muslim and martial law” is where all the objects that she brought today are from. Josie notes that she only likes to keep the“best things”. She has the piece on display in her cabin in Michigan. She noted that in the same hallway there is also a hanging from Peru. An earlier conversation she noted how similar textiles look between the two countries. Nowadays people make copies of this kind ofobject. In a recent visit to Mindanao, Josie brought back yards of 1 fabric. Josie likes the transition from brown to red and that these are the results of natural dyes. Was kept in a “treasure chest” before hung up. She knew it was precious and wanted to keep it safe.Without proper display people won't appreciate them. She had an interest in Mindanao, maybe influenced why she was given it. Wishes or feels embarrassed (?) that she doesn’t know the symbolism of the imagery - “her friends would be aghast” - she should do “her ownresearch”. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this story do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Subjects
  • Homeland Memories Philippines WEB
  • Homeland Memories Philippines
  • Philippines Heritage
  • Philippines Collection
Summary SP-6561 - Josie Disterhoft Textile, [6000x4000], (image/jpeg)
Creator(s)
  • Alpha Sadcopen : Field Museum of Natural History - Anthropology
Contributor(s)
  • Josie O. Disterhoft