Argentina, Silät, Tolhka (Turtle) Bag

This handwoven bag is made by the Silät collective, a group of Wichí women artisans based in northern Argentina. Rooted in long-standing cultural practices, each piece reflects a way of observing and translating the surrounding environment through textile. The patterns, often symmetrical and abstract, form part of the visual language of the Wichí community.

The bag is crafted entirely by hand using chaguar fibre, sourced from a native plant that grows in the Chaco forest. The fibre is harvested, processed and spun by the artisans before being woven using the traditional yica technique (named after how the bag is called). Natural dyes derived from the forest give depth and variation to the colours.

Each bag is a one-of-a-kind piece, created individually by a single artisan.

Technique: traditional stitch
Natural dyes and colors:
Black: carob tree resin mixed with clay
White: natural color of the chaguar plant fibers

Dimensions: 28 x 26 cm
Materials: Handspun chaguar fibre, natural dyes, woven in yica stitch
Care: Keep dry; avoid prolonged exposure to moisture; store in a cool, dry place
Production time: Ready to ship within 4 weeks