Mantle

Art Historical Context

This magnificent mantle, woven on Peru's central coast(?) between the 10th and 15th centuries, exemplifies the extraordinary textile artistry of pre-Colian Andean cultures. Spanning the Late Intermediate Period, it likely served as a ceremonial garment or shroud, reflecting the society's reverence for finely crafted cloth as a marker of status and spirituality. Measuring an impressive 34 x 77 inches, its generous size suggests it draped over the body or was used in rituals, evoking the vibrant world of ancient Peruvians who mastered weaving long before European contact. Crafted from camelid h...