Chancay Textile Fragments

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

Fabulous small bundle of Chancay textile fragments, likely from the wrappings of a mummy bundle or tunic. Finely woven and adorned with stylized stripes, the fragments retain vivid tones of golden brown, burgundy, and yellow—testament to the enduring quality of Chancay craftsmanship.

The Chancay are best known for their mastery of textiles, which stood as a cornerstone of their artistic and cultural identity. Textiles were deeply symbolic, used to express status, gender, wealth, and spiritual beliefs. Chancay weavers were particularly celebrated for their delicate gauze work, employing a wide palette of colors including yellows, browns, scarlet, white, blues, and greens.

They worked with a variety of materials such as llama wool, cotton, chiffon, and feathers, producing geometric patterns alongside stylized representations of plants, animals—like birds, cats, fish, monkeys, and dogs—and human figures. Gauzes and canvases were often created for religious and magical functions, notably as headdresses for the deceased.

As part of their funerary traditions, Chancay society carefully wrapped their dead in many layers of cloth and buried them with a variety of offerings. These textile fragments are a poignant reflection of that sacred custom and the refined artistry of this ancient Andean civilization.

Moderate condition. Fragments as shown. Age-related wear, loose threads, tears, and holes. Stains, soil, dirt and dust. Sizes approx. 10,0cm x 2,0cm.

Provenance: Canadian private collection.