Iconography
The textiles shown here illustrate a small sample of the extraordinarily rich variety of motifs and symbols to be found in Pre-Colombian textiles of Peru. Many, such as these humming birds [1] are mirrored in ancient Peruvian ceramics [2]. All nature was imbued with spiritual importance and boundaries between humans and nature were often blurred.
In the Nasca period fearsome masked shamanic figures adopting animal characteristics and carrying human trophy heads adorn textiles, such as the one in the side panel, and ceramics alike [3]. Water is a persistent theme, and 'streams' issuing from such figures may reflect water's importance to life in a desert environment [4].
Serpents [5], birds and felines were central to the ancient mythology of the Andes. Images of pampas cats and foxes [6] [7], condors [8], pelicans [9], humming-birds [1] [2] and numerous edible plants tell us of the ecology of which they and the people were a part. Recurring motifs of marine life in both textiles and ceramics [10] [11] emphasise the importance of the sea. These images often become highly stylised and hard to identify over time [12].
Tha way that the ancient Peruvian people viewed their world is brought to life in the richness and vivacity of their textiles and ceramics.
In the Nasca period fearsome masked shamanic figures adopting animal characteristics and carrying human trophy heads adorn textiles, such as the one in the side panel, and ceramics alike [3]. Water is a persistent theme, and 'streams' issuing from such figures may reflect water's importance to life in a desert environment [4].
Serpents [5], birds and felines were central to the ancient mythology of the Andes. Images of pampas cats and foxes [6] [7], condors [8], pelicans [9], humming-birds [1] [2] and numerous edible plants tell us of the ecology of which they and the people were a part. Recurring motifs of marine life in both textiles and ceramics [10] [11] emphasise the importance of the sea. These images often become highly stylised and hard to identify over time [12].
Tha way that the ancient Peruvian people viewed their world is brought to life in the richness and vivacity of their textiles and ceramics.
A fragment of a very finely embroidered textile depicting a flying, anthropomorphic, shamanic figure, holding a feather fan, staff and a trophy head. The figure has wing-like feathered arms and monkey feet. The ceramic, image 3 (1916.272), shows a very similar type of figure and dates from later in the same period. 11.5 cm x 16.5 cm. 1935.328.
