South American Tunic Artwork

This fine tapestry-woven garment features identical black-and-white checkerboard designs on front and back, inside and out, with a red, V-shaped yoke and meticulously embroidered finished edges. Worn by men over a loincloth, such garments were one of the primary markers of identity in the Inca Empire. This type of tunic was first mentioned in 1532 by Francisco de Jerez, secretary to the conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Jerez described the meeting between Atahualpa, the Inca emperor, and Pizarro's men in Cajamarca, Peru, noting that the first regiment of the Inca army wore a checkerboard livery. Cloth was of profound importance in Inca culture: no political, military, social, or religious event among the Inca was complete without textiles being exchanged or gifted, burned, or sacrificed. Fine tapestry¬ woven tunics would have been bestowed on warriors who distinguished themselves on the battlefield or given as diplomatic gifts by Inca rulers in their campaigns to expand their vast empire. Ownership and use of tapestry tunics would have been closely controlled by the Inca state, and only those upon whom such gifts were bestowed were allowed to wear them. The Inca also exerted tight control over the production of tapestry tunics, and surviving full-size examples display remarkably little variation in size.

Digital:Mixed Media on Mixed Media

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:24 W x 24.1 H x 0.1 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.