Pre-Columbian - Textiles

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.

Chancay Style Ancient Textile Doll Manufactured in the last 50 years, but using guaranteed ancient Peruvian textiles from the Chancay culture. Female form, composed of ancient textiles dating between 1100- $125.00

Peruvian Textile Scarf Panel Ancient Pre-Columbian Square Textile Scarf Panel from Peru, Chancay culture, ca. 1100 - 1400 A.D. Handwoven from varied natural-dyed fibers, sewn together from two pieces, four selvages. At each corner one or two wefts are left to hang loose, as a corner tuft... $465.00

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 $700.00

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

Proto Nazca Textile Sash / Belt Gorgeous! Ancient Pre-Columbian Sash/Belt, from the South Coast of Peru, ca. 100 B.C - 100 A.D. Handwoven, complete textile sash features a vibrant geometric pattern in red, $1,345.00

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.