Peru, Proto-Nazca "Cabildo" Sampler with Three Figures in Gold and Red
This sampler is embroidered with abstract creatures with their hands held upwards. The sampler is embroidered with camelid dyed fiber in red, green and gold on a fine woven white cotton ground. The two figures at opposite ends have arms and legs with fancy appendages at the waist and an abstract face on top of each head. Samplers were used by the Paracas and Early Nasca to plan out designs for large textiles. The central figure appeas to be a shaman with a large head wearing a crown with three appendages on each side embroidered in gold. Nested inside the central figure is secondary figure embroidered in red, depicted upside down as if it is falling. The sampler is embellished with 42 individual connected step-volute patterns in red, green, gold and brown. In addition, there are five X's interspersed in the design. The panel is complete, in good condition, with all sides selvaged, and professionally lined. There are 3 small holes and 7 very small holes. Similar samplers are discussed and illustrated in "Early Nazca Needlework" by Alan Sawyer.
Period: Peru, Paracas, Ocucaje-South Coast , 300 - 200 BC
Media: Textile
Dimensions: Length: 63" x Width: 22"
$6,500
93129