Pre-Columbian, Peru, Lurin Valley, Pachacamac, ca. 11th to 16th century CE. A finely woven textile comprised of camelid (alpaca or llama) fibers of red, yellow, umber, and white hues on a beige fabric ground (four joined panels). The design/iconographic program features two wide registers that when viewed sideways appear to include four large anthropomorphic forms with bodies comprised of stepped motifs and presenting profile heads with single eyes. These are surrounded by narrow borders comprised of abstract zoomorphic faces in profile as well. The central section is nicely demarcated by a narrow red and gold border. Size: textile measures 49.5" W x 32.5" H (125.7 cm x 82.6 cm); 66.5" W x 48" H (168.9 cm x 121.9 cm) including beige cotton fabric backing

Pachacamac is located on the Peruvian coast approximately 32 kilometers south of Lima. It was a sacred site, as well as an oracle, and place of burial, that pilgrims from numerous ancient Andean cultures visited, including the Incas. Active for more than 2,000 years, this site was named after the god Pacha Kamaq who was worshipped as the "Maker of the Earth" by these coastal peoples and was also associated with powerful earthquakes. According to indigenous mythology, Pachacamac had defeated Con, the rival creator god who as a form of punishment for humankind's evilness had stopped all rainfall. Pachacamac resorted to transforming the human race into animals and subsequently created an entirely new race of men and women. Some versions of the myth tell of the god sending four stars to earth. Two of the stars were male and became kings and nobility. The other two stars were female and became common folk.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection

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#132061

Staining as shown. Areas of loss and repair, particularly to the central plain section, though there are a few very small losses to the border panels.