Andean Tunic, 12th - 15th century
Camelid fiber, cotton, natural dyes 48 ½ x 71 in.; 56 x 81 in. framed.
This Andean tunic was once part of a funerary bundle buried on the western coast of South America, says Christine Giuntini, textile conservator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The arid conditions preserved the tapestry which lay buried, and unnoticed for centuries. The traditional male garment has a central opening for the head and was commonly worn over a loincloth. Giuntini believes that the tunic is from coastal Peru or modern-day Chile.
Textiles were one of the highest forms of art in pre-Columbian cultures, incorporating sophisticated geometries into their designs. Made from camelid wool from alpacas, llamas, or vicuñas, indigenous cotton plants, and natural dyes, each tunic can be made from between six and nine miles of thread. Through material, color, and distinctive motifs, Andean textiles conveyed a wealth of information including political, social, and occupational status. Textiles were used as diplomatic tools in political negotiations and were often exchanged between groups.
More information about Andean textiles can be found here: