Loincloth
Unknown Artist
1425–1500 (radiocarbon date, 92.3% probability)
Medium
cotton; plain weave, brocaded and complex alternating gauze with 5 shots of plain weave between gauze shots
Dimensions
151.1 × 57.2 cm · mounted: 167.6 × 71.1 cm
Classification
Garment
Department
Textiles
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Norman O. Stone and Ella A. Stone Memorial Fund
Accession Number
2005.5.2
About this artwork
Loincloths were basic men’s wear in ancient Peru. But the extraordinary size of some examples—this one is about eight feet long, unfolded—makes it difficult to know how they were worn, except that they were tied around the waist with the decorated panels hanging at the front and back of the body. The appearance may have been that of a billowing skirt.