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.

Pachacamac Textile Fragment From ancient Peru, Central Coast, Chancay, Pachacamac, ca. 1100 - 1400 A.D. Tightly-woven, multicolor fragment with diagonal rows of water birds. Textile itself measures 10- $595.00 $496.25

Chancay Coca Bag / Chuspa Ancient Pre-Columbian Peruvian Coca Bag, Chancay style, ca. 1000 Woven fabric satchel used for storing/carrying coca leaves (to help combat altitude sickness and other... $185.00

Framed Chancay Painted Textile Ancient Pre-Columbian Painted Textile from northern Peru, Chancay culture, ca. 900-1300 A.D. Dark cream base color, painted in tones of brown, sienna and blue. $795.00

Peruvian Belt Fragment - Zoomorphs Ancient Pre-Columbian Textile Belt Fragment from Peru, ca. 1000 A.D. Features a row of zoomorphic figures woven in rich shades of red and tan. Mounted on a piece of modern- $495.00

Chancay Textile Fragment - Zoomorphs Ancient Pre-Columbian Textile from Peru, Chancay culture, ca. 1100 - 1400 A.D. Loosely-woven fragment features a trio of complete zoomorph figures and several partial... $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.