Long Banner, South Coast, Nazca Culture, 400-800 CE. Size: 11" x 8' (216 x 244 cm). A very fine alpaca tapestry band featuring 8 repeating staff and trophy head holding figures with flying decapitator headdresses. Part of the regalia of a ritual leader, they are thought to be mantle borders, but their actual use is little known. Note that they have tie cords at each end and may be turbans. This superb example is probably from the 7th century with Wari influence, as the figure, though generated in Nazca form and drawing, is part of the religious symbols of the Wari, not the earlier Nazca. Note that the figure is shown fully clothed in a striped tunic and trophy head loincloth with typical Nazca stepped latch hook designed belts. The figures carry a trophy head in one hand and Wari-style axes in the other. This is a unique rendition of this theme in a very complete and fine garment.

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