Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Chimu, ca. 1000 to 1500 CE. A remarkable textile fragment made from camelid wool (alpaca or llama), woven using the slit tapestry technique in warm colors, reds, browns and ochre yellow. The repeating motifs depict abstract birds, their heads turned behind - perhaps waterfowls such as the Andean flamingo. This piece is in great condition and may be a fragment from a larger shawl or garment that was used in burial, the arid climate, and funerary practices of the Chimu people helped preserve exquisite textiles such as this, which would otherwise be lost to decay! Size of textile: 13.75" L x 9.5" W (34.9 cm x 24.1 cm); frame: 17" L x 13" W (43.2 cm x 33 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Texas, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#184757

Not examined outside of frame. Fragment from a larger piece as shown. Tearing and fraying to fibers with some perforations and losses. Some larger tears are stabilized with modern threads. Staining and discoloration. Famed in modern glass and metal frame as shown. Overall beautiful preservation to the motifs.