Especially the weavers of today can look onto an ancient tradition, dating back up to 4000 years. The oldest textiles were found at the pre-Columbian temple of Huaca Prieta in the Chicama Valley. The materials used then were brown and white cotton, vicuña, alpaca and llama wool. Sometimes materials such as human hair and bat fibers were included, more often gold and silver thread. Main weaving locations are Cuzco, Lima, Ayacucho, Puno, Junin and Apurimac. The colourful decorative works of today are often dyed with industrial dyes although natural dyes are still used as well or rather again by artists.
On the website of a shamanic center I found the following two examples of peruvian textile art. Unfortunately I could not find any information about these pieces but I love the patterns as well as the colours...
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I am sure when people mention ancient Peruvian art they think of those incredible gold treasures first place which have been found in a country that can be proud of so many cultures and incredible works of art and craft. These treasures have made the country extremely vulnerable against looters and thieves and only since a few years "Peru has moved aggressively in recent years to reclaim works of its early cultures that have ended up abroad not to mention "private collections" where the artefacts unfortunately will be lost to the public and scientific research. In November last year, a final batch of thousands of artifacts from the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu were returned to Peru from Yale University." (read more)
Between 600 and 1000, long before the Inca, the Wari (Huari) founded a society widely regarded today as ancient Peru's first empire. Wari became dominant in much of the territory of the earlier Moche and later Chimu cultures. Their textile art is beautiful.
One of the most extraordinary masterpieces of the pre-Columbian Americas is a nearly 2,000-year-old cloth from the South Coast of Peru.
Despite the textile's small size (it measures about two by five feet), it contains a vast amount of information about the people who lived in ancient Peru; and despite its great age and delicacy, its colors are brilliant, and tiny details amazingly intact. (after The Paracas Textile).
The following images are from the website of the Khanacademy and show incredible workmanship that rather seems to belong into "modern times" rather than from 2000 years ago...
On the above website you can find a fascinating explanation how this mantle has been created. There is a very special technique involved how the figures of the border have been created - crossed-looping. A diagram shows how this has been accomplished. The result looks nearly like knitting. Imagine that this example (The Paracas Textile) of unbelievable textile art is about 2000 years old.
Another breathtaking example from the Paracas culture is this mantle (normally used for wrapping up mummies in bundles):
But the first reason for all these introductions into Peruvian Textile art and its thousands of years old tradition is a modern fiber artist - Maximo Laura. His award winning wall hangings are breathtakingly beautiful, full of mysteries and I am sure you will feel the same excitement and enthusiasm when you see his work if you don't know him already. He is an incredibly diligent artist and his works have been shown all-over the world. I can only show very few examples of his wonderful art:
Aire Vital, 20 x 20 cm. Alpaca, cotton, mixed fibers. Peruvian Contemporary Tapestry Art
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Augur of the Harvest Time, 82 x 140 in, Alpaca Wool, Mixed Fibers.
Handwoven Peruvian Tapestry Art
Camino Ardiente Hacia la Luz, 47 x 95 in., Alpaca Wool, Mixed Fibers.
Handwoven Peruvian Tapestry Art
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Looking at the Balance of Life, 68 x 124 in., Alpaca Wool, Mixed Fibers.
Handwoven Peruvian Tapestry Art
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Ritual of the Birth Song, 96 x 48 in, Alpaca Wool, Mixed Fibers.
Handwoven Peruvian Tapestry Art
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The Dream of the Warrior of Light at Dawn, 99 x 48 in, Alpaca Wool, Mixed Fibers.
Handwoven Peruvian Tapestry Art
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Ritual of the Eternal Chant IV, 280 x 100 cm, Alpaca wool, mixed fibers.
Hand-Woven Peruvian Tapestry
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Sacred Night, 180 x 250 cm, Alpaca wool, mixed fibers.
image sourceThe following examples can be found on the World of Threads website. And don't forget to read the interview with Maximo there - he talks about his traditional roots, his inspiration, his progress as an artist and much more.
Presencia de los Apus en la Jungla, 180 x 278 cm, Hand-woven Tapestry
Sacred meeting in the jungle, 176 x 402 cm, Alpaca wool, cotton, mixed fibers. Hand-woven Tapestry
Spring of Love, 178 x 258 cm, Alpaca wool, cotton, mixed fibers. Hand-woven Tapestry
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