Tunic Fragment
Unknown Artist
7th–9th century
Medium
Camelid hair, cotton
Dimensions
H.7 7/8 x 10 5/8 in. (20 x 27 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture
Wari
Department
Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Howard Russell Hartman, 1970
Accession Number
1970.246.8
Art Historical Context
This exquisite tunic fragment hails from the Wari culture of ancient Peru, flourishing between the 7th and 9th centuries in Andean highlands. The Wari were masterful weavers whose textiles served as symbols of power, status, and cosmology, often adorning elite tunics worn by rulers and priests. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art 1970 by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Russell, this small yet vibrant piece (measuring 7⅞ x 10⅝ inches) offers a glimpse into a sophisticated pre-Inca society renowned for its imperial expansion and artistic innovation. Crafted from camelid hair—likely from alpacas or ll...