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Tunic
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The striking, large-scale figure shown on this tunic has an elaborate, monkey-like tail as well as head appendages that mark the creature as supernatural. This tunic, a relatively rare type, was made not on a loom but rather by working the yarns into loops with a needle. It is made entirely with camelid fiber, which can readily be dyed in a range of vivid colors. The fiber comes from one of the four camels (camelids) native to the Andes Mountains—the alpaca and llama, both domesticated, and the wild guanaco and vicuña. On the coast, it represents a prestige import.
| Artist / Maker | Anonymous, Paracas people |
|---|---|
| Date | 400–200 BCE |
| Culture / Origin | Peru, South Coast, Ica Valley, Ocucaje site?, Paracas people |
| Medium | looped camelid fiber |
| Dimensions | Average: 94 x 82.6 cm (37 x 32 1/2 in.) |
| Department | Textiles |
| Type | Textile |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
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