Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Proto-Nazca, ca. 500 to 300 BCE. A beautiful textile border strip comprised of tightly woven camelid (alpaca or llama wool) fibers in hues of periwinkle, wheat, cream, espresso, coral, citrine, and sage. The border presents 24 muneca (Spanish for "doll") figures with fused bodies, expressive faces, and thick locks of braided hair projecting above. Textiles would have been used in this culture in conjunction with polychrome vessels in ceremonies. They were ritual attire which were used as display objects, and ultimately in funerary contexts. Mounted on a fabric backing. Size (textile): 56.5" L x 5.75" W (143.5 cm x 14.6 cm); (backing): 73" L x 21.125" W (185.4 cm x 53.7 cm).

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Hans Jurgen Westermann collection, Germany, acquired 1950s to 1960s

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#138985

Loss to one leg, fraying to some interior and peripheral threads, with light staining and fading to original coloration, and minor creasing. Colors are still visible and vivid.