Pre-Columbian Nazca, Inca or Chimu woven wool Quipu, from Peru. Used to record, store and calculate mathematical numeric and other values. Woven handle with geometric, abstracted "face" designs and over 60 twist-braided cords which were knotted to record numbers. Circa 900 - 1500 AD.

Length: 11.25" (28.5 cm)

CONDITION: Damage to one side of the handle (see photo). Several (2 or 3) cords with losses. Old patina.

PROVENANCE: Purchased from Carlos Newell (Peruvian) on 3/23/1989 in San Francisco by the present consignor.

NOTES / REFERENCES: A quipu usually consisted of cotton or camelid fiber strings. The Inca people used them for collecting data and keeping records, monitoring tax obligations, collecting census records, calendrical information, and for military organization. The cords stored numeric and other values encoded as knots, often in a base ten positional system. A quipu could have only a few or thousands of cords. The configuration of the quipus has been "compared to string mops". Archaeological evidence has also shown the use of finely carved wood as a supplemental, and perhaps sturdier, base to which the color-coded cords would be attached. A relatively small number have survived.

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