© Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University

ClassificationsArt of the Americas

Mantle Fragment with Bird Motif

Place CreatedPeru, South America

CultureChancay

PeriodLate Intermediate

Dateca. 1000-1470 CE

MediumCotton, camelid fiber

Credit LineAnonymous gift

Dimensions11 3/4 x 9 1/4 in. (29.8 x 23.5 cm)

Object number2003.040.056

Label TextThe brocade fragment belonged to a larger mantle that originally would have had a plain white center, borders of the lower meander pattern, and four stepped corners filled with curly tailed bird motifs. Like a flock of birds perched on tree branches, the animals are arrayed on zigzag lines and face alternatively left and right to create a dense and dynamic pattern. Their curly tails do not mimic those of any known bird, thus artistic license was at work in this design. Since these tail feathers resemble closely the prehensile (flexible gripping) tail of the money, they may represent a combination of animals not found in nature. Such a composite image reflects the importance of shamanic visions in which animals combine and change forms.
Exhibition HistoryMCCM Permanent Collection Gallery, Textile Rotation, September 2004 - March 2005
MCCM Permanent Collection Gallery, Textile Rotation 5, February 16 - August 17, 2015
Published ReferencesMCCM Newsletter, September - November 2003.

ProvenanceEx private collection, United States.

Status

Not on view

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