Incuna (ceremonial cloth) c. 19th century

This is an Incuna, or ceremonial cloth, woven by an Aymara artist. We don't have a date for it. But such textiles were and are a central component of Aymara culture in the Andes. Looking closely, the vertical stripes aren’t simply decorative. The bands with complex geometric and zoomorphic designs, woven with great skill, signal social status and identity within the community. Weaving is a deeply rooted tradition, passed down through generations of women. The Incuna operates in a social context where textiles are not just functional objects but are imbued with cultural and spiritual meaning. In this case, institutional histories of museums come into play: how do we, as viewers, approach an object that carries so much cultural weight? By studying the weaving techniques, the iconography, and the historical context, we can begin to understand how this cloth functions as a powerful form of cultural expression.