Fragment Possibly 1476 - 1532

This small textile was woven by an Inca artist, using fibers that were probably derived from the alpaca or vicuña. The structure is weft-faced plain weave, with supplementary warp threads creating a pattern of geometric motifs. The colors – greens, browns, reds – were achieved with natural dyes. The preparation of the fibers, the spinning of the yarn, the dyeing, and of course the weaving itself, would have been very labor-intensive. Inca textiles were highly valued, and used for garments, as tribute payments, and even as a form of writing, with the patterns conveying complex information. Looking closely, you can see the incredible fineness and regularity of the weave. This reflects the high status of textile production in Inca society. The most skilled weavers were highly prized, and their work was seen as a reflection of the power and wealth of the Inca empire. So while this fragment may seem small and unassuming, it speaks volumes about the culture that created it.