Tunic
Unknown Artist
7th century
Medium
Camelid hair
Dimensions
Overall: 33 in. (83.82 cm) Other: 24 in. (60.96 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture
Nasca
Department
Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1928
Accession Number
28.171.13
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 7th-century tunic, crafted from camelid hair by an unknown Nasca artist, a vivid glimpse into the sophisticated textile traditions of ancient Peru. Hailing from the Nasca culture (ca. 100 BCE–800 CE) in the south coast region, it measures 33 inches overall, with a 24-inch body, and exemplifies the woven garments worn by elites. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1928, it resides in the Metropolitan Museum of's Department of Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. Nasca weavers were masters of their craft, transforming fibers from llamas or alpacas—prized for their strength,...