Tunic
Unknown Artist
late 18th century
Medium
Camelid hair
Dimensions
H. 26 1/2 x W. 35 in. (67.3 x 88.9 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture
Aymara
Department
Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of John B. Elliott, 1997
Accession Number
1999.47.229
Art Historical Context
This late 18th-century tunic, woven from camelid hair by an unknown Aymara artist offers a vivid glimpse into Andean textile mastery. Hailing from the high plateaus of present-day Bolivia and Peru, Aymara people have long been renowned for their intricate weaving traditions, using fibers from llamas and alpacas—naturally resilient and warm materials perfectly suited to the harsh Andean climate. Measuring 26½ x 35 inches, this garment exemplifies the classification of woven textiles, where skilled hands transformed raw camelid wool into a functional yet artistically profound piece of clothing. ...