Headband (wincha) c. 20th century

This headband, or wincha, was carefully woven using a technique that creates a double-faced fabric, thick and sturdy. With its symmetrical patterns, the headband's design features a red-orange color interwoven with geometric motifs in white, black, and purple, culminating in delicate tasseled ends. The creation of such an object would have been time-consuming work, and the colors may well have been derived from natural dyes. In Andean communities, such headbands are used to hold hats or other head coverings in place. Textiles like this one reflect a deep connection to cultural heritage and identity. They also serve as a reminder of the skill and labor involved in their creation, a contrast to mass-produced, machine-made textiles. Considering this headband as a work of art allows us to appreciate the techniques and traditions that have been passed down through generations, blurring the lines between craft, design, and art.