Women’s Ceremonial Mantle, Toropalca, 20th C. Alpaca warp and weft. Natural dye. These minimalist double pampa (ground) textiles are of direct Inca influence. Inca noble women, ñustas, wore pamappacuna ñañacas, mantles with two grounds, one above and one below. This mantle features two large rich purple cochineal grounds with three wide bands of natural alpaca tan color. It was worn over the head, draping over the shoulders and down the back. Eight narrow bands of lloq'e, reverse spun yarns, are displayed on each weft selvedge. Lloq'e yarns are shamanistic structures which protected the user from malevolent spirits. Size: 49'' x 37'' x '' (124 x 94 x cm).

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