Fragment
1000-1476
Medium
Cotton, plain weave with band of cotton and wool (camelid), slit and single interlocking tapestry weave with supplementary weft slit closure
Dimensions
30.5 × 31.4 cm (12 × 12 3/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
158409
Art Historical Context
This exquisite textile fragment, dating from 1000–1476, hails from the ancient Andean region of South America, where masterful weaving was both an art form and a cultural cornerstone. Crafted from cotton in a plain weave, it features a decorative band incorporating wool from camelids—likely alpaca or vicuña—measuring a modest 30.5 × 31.4 cm. Though incomplete, such fragments offer precious glimpses into pre-Columbian life, preserved in the Art Institute of Chicago's Textiles Department. The artwork showcases sophisticated techniques: slit and single interlocking tapestry weaves, enhanced by s...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...