Pre-Columbian - Ancient Textiles for Sale

Like the ancient Egyptians and the Chinese, pre-Columbian peoples interred their dead with furnishings for the afterlife. In coastal Peru's dry climate, ancient textiles have survived in remarkable numbers, emerging from their long darkness with astonishing freshness of color. Weaving in Peru goes back to about 2000 B.C. and displays considerable sophistication and technical expertise.

Proto Nazca Tie-Dye Textile Fragment A Ancient Pre-Columbian Proto Nazca Textile Fragment, from Southern Peru, ca. 100 B.C. to 200 A.D. Woven in a geometric, tie-dye block pattern from camelid fibers, $265.00

Rare Sican Textile Roundel Extremely rare and vibrant textile roundel - similar in use to one's coat-of-armor - from the Lambayeque Valley of northern Peru. Ca 800 to 1000 AD and woven in bright... $3,495.00

Huari Textile Four Corner Pile Hat Vibrant! Ancient Huari Textile Four Corner Pile Hat from Peru's south coast, ca. 700 to 900 A.D. Woven squared cap composed of knotted camelid fibers overlaid with cut... $2,950.00 $695.00 SOLD

Nazca / Huari Tumpline Tassels From ancient Peru, Nazca/Huari culture, ca. 0 - 600 A.D. Pair of matching tassels, both have tightly-woven geometric decorated stems attached to bundles of red... $595.00

Tiwanaku Textile Belt Fragment Beautiful colors... Ancient Pre-Columbian Textile Fragment, from southern Peru/Bolivia, ca. 700-900 A.D. Handwoven camelid fibers in rich shades of red, orange, $695.00

Cotton was the most common fiber used for weaving cloth, although in the Central Andean Area llama, alpaca, and vicuña wool was also used. These materials were often colored with mineral and vegetable dyes. Besides woven patterns and images, textiles designs were achieved through painting, stamping, embroidering, and appliqué. In Post-Classic Mesoamerica and Peru, fabric was also made of feathers. Catlike creatures, such as jaguars, shamanic animals of ancient mythological lineage, were a frequently used motif in pre-Columbian textiles.