Very unsuual silk embroidered Colonial period coca bag from Bolivia. 18th century or earlier. The use of silk embroidery signifies that this was a special bag. The indigenous Aymara wove coca bags from fine alpaca fiber. Silk would have been a rare commodity in the region. The design is not typically native in origin and the embroidered construction is also foreign. The format of a coca bag and the woven edge finish in alpaca yarns is pure Aymara. Perhaps this bag was specially made for a Spanish official as a gift. The colors are aged a bit, but still vibrant. The colors include a very deep - double dyed purple, a strong cochineal red, light green, yellow and apricot. The ground cloth appears to be a fine hand woven cotton material. Size: 7 x 6.75 inches.