Band with Trophy Heads

100 BCE–700 CE

Peru, South Coast, Nasca

Medium

interlocking warp and weft, single interlock: wool

Measurements

Overall: 180.7 x 21.6 cm (71 1/8 x 8 1/2 in.); Mounted: 193 x 30.5 cm (76 x 12 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of John Wise 1953.475

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

This band is made in with a weaving technique that is unique to the ancient Andes.

Description

This band, remarkable for its intense color and spider-web sheerness, was created using an unusual technique known as discontinuous warp and weft. That is, none of the vertical or horizontal yarns are continuous from one side of the band to the other. Rather, they travel back and forth within their own color areas, linking at the edges with yarns in adjacent areas. This is a difficult feat when weaving on a loom and the creator likely used another approach, such as darning with a needle over a ground cloth that was then removed. The image repeated in each of the band’s rectangles is a head supported on two little feet.