**Originally Listed At $500**

Pre-Columbian, Peru, Chancay, ca. early 12th century CE. A lovely doll with a head, torso, limbs, fingers, and toes comprised of natural reeds - much of the face and body wrapped with deep pink and cocoa brown cotton threads. The visage presents ovoid brown and cream hued eyes, a protruding, long nose in beige threads, a slightly open mouth in white, chocolate brown wavy yarns for hair cascading past her shoulders, and a finely woven grey and white basket weave patterned headband wrapped around her head. Her dress features a finely woven striped pattern in golden yellow ochre, crimson red, tawny beige, and creamy white threads - with a sash of earthtone hued threads. Size: 2.75" W x 9.25" H (7 cm x 23.5 cm)

Scholars believe that such dolls were created to represent mortals rather than supernatural deities or spirits. Unfortunately most of the purportedly "ancient" Peruvian dolls on the market are in fact made in contemporary times, only comprised of collected ancient textile fragments. This example, however, is in fact an authentic ancient doll. A fabulous example that displays exceptional skill and various techniques, intriguing for its expressive visage, reed limbs with the digits meticulously defined and wound with threads, long curly brunette locks, and finely woven vestments.

Provenance: ex - private Florida, USA collection, ex Arte Primitivo Gallery, New York, New York, USA

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#147066

Minor areas of expected separation and fraying of fibers here and there. Sash and limbs show more fraying and losses relative to the rest of the doll. Still, a very strong example with natural fibers in remarkably good condition given its age.