tlatollotl

Tapestry Fragment  

Date:1000-1300

Culture:Ica

Geography:South Coast, Peru, Andean, South America

Large tapestries frequently decorated the walls of ceremonial and royal architecture throughout ancient America in a fashion similar to that of medieval Europe. Images of monkeys and stylized serpents adorn this fragment from such a tapestry.

The monkeys in this scene wear crescent headdresses similar to those worn by warriors appearing on certain Moche ceramic vessels. The crescent probably symbolizes the transformed status and power of the particular individual, either as a warrior or, in this case, a near-human.

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