Awayo c. 19th century

This Awayo textile was woven, at an unknown date, by an anonymous artist using a backstrap loom. A pre-Columbian weaving technology, this loom consists of two sticks between which the warps are stretched, one attached to a fixed point and the other to the weaver. The resultant cloth has an even pattern of stripes, alternating colors that range from deep browns and reds to light creams. Closer inspection reveals bands of supplementary-warp patterning that create complex geometric designs. Weaving on a backstrap loom is slow and painstaking. The weaver needs considerable expertise to create such elaborate designs. Awayo cloths were made and used in Andean communities, playing a crucial role in daily life as garments, blankets, and carrying cloths. By investing time and skill, the anonymous maker imbued this textile with cultural significance, challenging any perceived boundary between craft and art.