Cleveland Museum of Art

Loincloth

Date

1425–1500 (radiocarbon date, 92.3% probability)

Medium

cotton; plain weave, brocaded and complex alternating gauze with 5 shots of plain weave between gauze shots

Culture

Peru, North Coast, Chimú style, 1200–1460s

Department

Textiles

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Loincloths were basic men’s wear in ancient Peru. But the extraordinary size of some examples—this one is about eight feet long, unfolded—makes it difficult to know how they were worn, except that they were tied around the waist with the decorated panels hanging at the front and back of the body. The appearance may have been that of a billowing skirt. This loincloth is huge!

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