Fragment (Border) Possibly 1000 - 1532

This textile fragment, crafted by the Ica people, presents a compelling array of symbols woven into its very fabric. Observe the prominent geometric forms and stylized figures, motifs deeply embedded in the cultural lexicon of the Andean world. These recurring triangular shapes evoke the mountains so sacred to the Ica, while the figures bear echoes of both humans and animals, connecting the earthly and the divine. Such imagery reminds us of similar symbolic expressions found across cultures—from the stylized animal forms in ancient Egyptian art to the geometric patterns adorning Greek pottery. Consider the psychological weight of these symbols. Just as the serpent, a primal image, slithers through diverse mythologies, so too does this textile resonate with ancient human desires to communicate with nature and grasp the cosmos. It’s a visual echo of humanity’s enduring quest for understanding.