PRE-INCAN TEXTILES, SERIOUSLY COOLER THAN THE GOLD!

Today I went to see the National Gallery of Australia exhibition  Gold and the Incas: lost worlds of Peru . I expected to enjoy it, I expected to see ritual golden artifacts and a few other items. I wasn't prepared for the exquisite textiles and ceramics.

These pictures, while not all from the exhibition do give you an idea of what to expect.

CHUQUIBAMBA culture Southern highlands 1000 – 1475 AD
Textile length with 'tocapus' pattern 1000-1475 AD wool , tapestry weave
218.8 (h) x 91.2 (w) cm National Gallery of Australia, Canberra NGA 1981.1089

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moche
North coast, Peru
Portrait Vessel of a Ruler, 100 B.C./A.D. 500
Ceramic and pigment
35.6 x 24.1 cm (14 x 9 1/2 in.)

 

 

 

 

 

Mantle border fragment, 1st–2nd century Peru; Nazca Cotton, camelid hair; L. 41 3/8 in. (105 cm)

 

 

CHANCAY culture Central coast 1200 – 1450 AD
Open-work textile with fish design 1200-1450 AD cotton
105.0 (h) x 96.0 (w) cm 

 

 

 

 

If you get the chance see it. I'm going to and find out more about these Peruvian cultures.