Artwork Page for Mantle Border Fragment with Oculate Being

Details / Information for Mantle Border Fragment with Oculate Being

Mantle Border Fragment with Oculate Being

200 BCE–200 CE

Peru, South Coast, Paracas (Cavernas) style

(700 BCE–1 CE)
Medium
camelid fiber, embroidery over foundation cloth
Measurements
Overall: 116.2 x 16.5 cm (45 3/4 x 6 1/2 in.); Mounted: 127 x 25.4 cm (50 x 10 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of The Textile Art Alliance 1985.193
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Description

This border fragment features a supernatural being apparently at the center of a religion that swept the south coast during the final stages of the Paracas culture. Known as the Oculate Being after its huge eyes, it is affiliated with fertility and violence—note the darts it holds in one hand. Both large and small versions of the being are embroidered on the fragment, which likely comes from the border of a large, rectangular, shawl-like garment known as a mantle.
A vertically oriented camelid fiber embroidery fragment consists of a long strip of dark red cloth with a thick, multicolored fringe along one edge. Repeating stylized figures with blocky heads, concentric eyes, and zigzagging limbs are stacked in dark brown and orange tones. Smaller geometric faces alternate between the main motifs. Areas of worn embroidery reveal the weathered foundation cloth, framing the dense patterns against the twisted fiber border.

Mantle Border Fragment with Oculate Being

200 BCE–200 CE

Peru, South Coast, Paracas (Cavernas) style (700 BCE–1 CE)

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