Border Fragment

A.D. 1000/1476

Cotton and wool (camelid), bands of plain weave, slit tapestry weave with wrapping outlining wefts, and three-color complementary weft weave; edged with plain weave extended weft loop fringe

34.2 × 39.3 cm (13.5 × 15.5 in)

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Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

The Chancay primarily occupied the Huaura, Chancay, and Chillón river valleys along the central coast of Peru. Despite the fact that numerous examples of Chancay artwork survive, little is known about their culture and textile tradition. However, the quality of Chancay textiles demonstrates the importance of the artform within this enigmatic community. Rows of venomous scorpions scurry across the central area of this fragment, accompanied by a band of interlocking birds. These noctrnal arachnids are associated with death, war, and the supernatural realm and likely reference the fearsome warriors who ruled over the different Chancay communities.

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