Art Institute of Chicago

Half of a Tabard

Peru, Probably central or south coast

Date

1250-1450

Medium

Cotton, plain weave; embellished with feathers (likely from Chilean flamigos, macaws, and Muscovy ducks) knotted and attached with cotton in overcast stitches

Culture

Peru

Department

Textiles

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

The absence of cultural information about this feathered garment (and the other two featherworks in our collection: 1955.1778 and 1955.1783 ) demonstrates what knowledge was lost because of undocumented excavations—especially those that took place in the late 19th century before modern archaeological practices were established. Early collectors rarely kept as robust records as someone might today. Nonetheless, these miraculously well-preserved feathered garments remain a testament to Indigenous creativity and artistry in the Americas.

The authoritative record is held by Art Institute of Chicago. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.