Rare and Fine Inca Period Quipu Recording Tool. A quipu consisted of a series of cotton or camelid fiber strings used to store numeric and other data encoded in knots. The Inca people used them for collecting data and keeping records, monitoring tax obligations, properly collecting census records, calendar information, and for military organization. Provenance: Arte Textil, San Francisco, CA. Size: 20'' x 39'' (51 x 99 cm). For a similar example in the British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Am1907-0319-286. Ex. Cathryn Cootner Estate Collection, Sonoma, CA.

This is a NO RESERVE AUCTION: there are no hidden or confidential reserves, all acceptable bidding commences at the online START PRICE. Please let us know if you would like to receive a condition report or have any specific questions regarding the condition of a lot. Condition reports will be sent during the week prior to the auction, and can be requested via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone: 215-438-4700. Absence of a statement to condition in the description does not construe a statement of any kind. Please refer to Terms and Conditions of the sale.