Coca Bag Possibly 1532 - 1650

This is a woven coca bag, made by the Inca people. The vertical lines might appear purely decorative, but within Inca society, such textiles were deeply connected to social status and political power. Coca leaves were essential to Inca rituals and social interactions, and access was often controlled by the elite. This bag, while seemingly simple, might have been a symbol of the owner's privilege or role within the Inca hierarchy. The quality of the weave, the specific patterns, and even the colors used could communicate information about the bag's owner and their place in society. Understanding this work requires us to look beyond the visual appeal and delve into the social and economic structures of the Inca world. Archaeological findings, colonial records, and studies of indigenous cultures all offer valuable insights into interpreting the bag. The meaning of art, like this bag, always hinges on its social and institutional context.