Panel 1250 - 1470

This panel was woven by the Chimú people of ancient Peru, using fibers from the cotton plant and the camelid family. The process is one of simple over-under interlacement, but don’t let that fool you; this is a highly sophisticated textile. Look closely, and you can see that the images are built up square by square. This technique creates a pixelated effect that gives the panel a unique visual language. The Chimú people used the backstrap loom to create fabrics like this, a tool widely used in Andean cultures. This loom is highly portable, which allows the weaver to create textiles anywhere. The motifs, depicting stylized human figures and mythical animals, suggest that this panel was not simply decorative. Instead, it most likely held ritual significance, embodying the cultural beliefs and social structures of the Chimú society. This panel challenges our modern-day distinctions between art and craft, sacred and utilitarian. It embodies the artistry, skill, and cultural depth of the Chimú civilization.