Chancay Gauze Fragment

Pre-Columbian era, Chancay culture, 1000-1470AD, Peru.

A charming Chancay gauze fragment from the wrappings of a mummy bundle or tunic with lovely greenish blue, white and brown hues. The major artistic achievement for which the Chancay are know is their mastery of textiles. Textiles were an essential form of symbolism to convey meaning, status, gender, wealth, and spirituality. Chancay weavers specialized particularly in delicate gauze work. They used an array of colours including yellows, browns, scarlet, white, blues and greens. In type of fabric used include llama wool, cotton, chiffon and feathers. The typically geometric designs also included drawings of plants, animals such as fish, cats, birds, monkey and dogs, as well as human figures. Canvases or gauzes were used primarily for religious and magical purposes. They were made for covering the head of the dead in the form of headdresses. In keeping with their burial customs, members of the Chancay society wrapped the corpses of their dead in many layers of cloth and buried them deep in the ground along with various goods. 

Moderate condition. Age-related wear. Stains, soil, dirt and dust. Size approx. 21,0cm x 12,0cm. Modern frame included.

Provenance: Swedish private collection