Patch 1000 - 1476

This woven patch was made by the Lambayeque people of Peru. The image is dominated by a symmetrical, almost totemic figure woven in muted browns, yellows, and reds. The weaver used a restricted palette and precise geometric forms, to produce a monumental effect within a small scale. The central figure grasps what appear to be ceremonial staffs, positioned rigidly on either side. Note how the artist employs hierarchical scale, enlarging the central figure to emphasize its importance. This visual strategy communicates power and status within the community. The figure stands atop a stepped, ziggurat-like form, adding to the impression of elevation and authority. The textile's structure mirrors the hierarchical structure of the society that produced it. Consider how this artifact operates as a sign. The symmetrical composition and stylized representation speak to established cultural codes. While we may not fully decipher the meaning today, the weaver utilized sophisticated formal techniques to embody and convey complex cultural ideas.