15th Century & Earlier Framed Pre-Columbian Woven Textile Fragment from Chimu Chancay Culture

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Description

A fragment of antique pre-Columbia textile panel from Chimu or Chancay culture located in Central and Northern Coast of nowadays … Read more A fragment of antique pre-Columbia textile panel from Chimu or Chancay culture located in Central and Northern Coast of nowadays Peru. Chancay culture thrived in the late Intermediate period/ late Horizon circa 1000-1470 CE until it was incorporated by Chimu Culture on the further northern coast. Chimu culture was later conquered by Inca Empire in late 15th century.
The vertical panel appears to be part of a long scarf or belt indicated by its size and the presence of an complete end border. Woven from fine wool and camelid fibers of multiple colors, the panel consists of oblique bands in a zigzag pattern, each with zoomorphic motif (possibly sea birds) alternate with geometrical shape. The lateral borders of the panel features woven sea birds in side profile. The color of this panel is very well preserved and still shows a brilliant combination of red and shades of brown.
The textile is beautifully float mounted within mat of complimentary colors and presented in a lovely dark wood frame with oil rubbed finish.
Provenance: From an American collection collected in Peru in 1970s. Hence by descent.
Reference: For reading on the bird motifs in Chancay textile art, see page 141-183 of the book "Ancient Peruvian Textile" by F. Anton. See less