COLLECTION NAME:
The AMICA Library
Record
AMICA ID:
CMA_.1985.139
AMICA Library Year:
2000
Object Type:
Textiles
Creator Nationality:
South American; Peruvian
Creator Name-CRT:
Peru, Chavin Culture, 1000-600 B.C.
Title:
Ritual Cloth
Title Type:
Primary
View:
Full View
Creation Date:
1000-600 B.C.
Creation Start Date:
-1000
Creation End Date:
-600
Materials and Techniques:
tabby weave, extended tabby with supplementary weft, warp wrapping: cotton
Style or Period:
Peru, Chavin Culture, 1000-600 B.C.
Dimensions:
Average: 112cm x 60.8cm
AMICA Contributor:
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Owner Location:
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
ID Number:
1985.139
Credit Line:
John L. Severance Fund
Context:
The design of identical deity faces with heavy-lidded, staring eyes, wide nostrils, upturned mouths, and protruding fangs connected with continuous mouth bands is a compelling and powerful application of a characteristic motif of Chavin art.As the largest and most complete existing Chavin ritual cloth so far recorded, this rare example consists of two pieces joined down their inner cut edges; the outer side edges are finished with an applied looped fringe. Originally, there was at least one other repeat of the design at the top; the lower design is complete, but the edge is cut, suggesting that the cloths were simply cut off the loom. Although other Chavin textiles are patterned by twining, tapestry weaving, or painting, this and two small related fragments in New York and Washington, D.C., are the earliest known Peruvian textiles woven with an elementary use of heddles.
Related Image Identifier Link:
CMA_.1985.139.tif
