Cleveland Museum of Art

Mantle

Date

c. 300 BCE–200 CE

Medium

camelid fiber: plain weave with embroidery

Culture

Peru, South Coast, Paracas (Cavernas) style

Department

Textiles

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Buried in shaft-tombs, or rectangular sunken chambers, the Paracas dead were wrapped in layers of cloth and accompanied by pottery, food, and other offerings. The dry environment of the Paracas Peninsula helped preserve many of these textiles, including richly ornamented garments buried with important individuals. This mantle, probably worn like a cloak, relates closely to the tunic (CMA 1946.227) and long headband (CMA 1946.228) due to their shared imagery. Its double-headed bird motifs— embroidered in vivid red, blue, yellow, and green yarns—likely had symbolic significance, although the specific meaning remains unknown. The profusion and decoration of textiles in Paracas burials shows the value placed on cloth.

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