Fragment

Art Institute of Chicago

Fragment

LambayequeLinkedCulture matchlcp-02193ff02dd7

Date
1000-1476
Medium
Two panels joined: cotton and wool (camelid), slit and single dovetailed tapestry weave with eccentric and wrapping outlining wefts; one panel embroidered with laced running stitches
Culture
Peru
Department
Textiles
Institution
Art Institute of Chicago
Object ID
85370

The central scene woven into this panel displays a bird-headed anthropomorphic figure with a crescent-shaped headdress, possibly representing the otherworldly figure known as the Sicán Deity or a human impersonator of this legendary leader of the Lambayeque. In this depiction, the figure holds a ceremonial knife, called a tumi, and is engaged in a brutal ritual human sacrifice, likely a decapitation. Another victim hangs by a long rope wrapped around his neck. The borders and horizontal bands of this panel reiterate the theme of human sacrifice as they contain repeated depictions of trophy heads or bound captives—most likely, enemy warriors taken in battle. The two additional scenes above and below display composite amphibian-butterflies that may allude to metamorphosis or hallucinogens involved in the sacrificial ritual.

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Provenance & credit

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Credit line
Kate S. Buckingham Endowment
Provenance
Eduard Gaffron (1861–1931), Lima, Peru, from 1892 to 1912, then Berlin, from 1912 [History of the Department report (Joanne Behrens, 1985) and correspondence in curatorial file]; by descent to his children Mercedes Gaffron, Berlin then Durham, SC, and Hans Gaffron (1902–1979), Berlin then Chicago [correspondence and documentation of the Gaffron Collection in curatorial file]; sold to the Art Institute, 1955.

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Object type
AAT300014063

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