Tapestry Fragment

Unknown Artist

9th–13th century

Tapestry Fragment by Unknown Artist

Medium

Camelid hair, cotton

Dimensions

Overall: 4 x 5 in. (10.16 x 12.7 cm) Other: 4 in. (10.16 cm)

Classification

Textiles-Woven

Culture

Lambayeque (Sicán)

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Rogers Fund, 1928

Accession Number

28.64.26

Art Historical Context

This delicate **Tapestry Fragment** from Lambayeque (Sic) culture of northern Peru, dating to the 9th–13th century, offers a glimpse into pre-Columbian Andean artistry. Measuring just 4 x 5 inches, it was woven from camelid hair—likely from alpacas or vicuñas, prized for their fine, durable fibers—and cotton, a combination that highlights the region's advanced textile traditions. These materials were not only practical for Peru's varied climates but also symbolized wealth and skill, as weaving was a revered craft often dominated by women. The fragment exemplifies **tapestry weaving**, a sophi...

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