PONCHO, mid-late 18th century. From Cotabambas, present-day department of Apurimac. Warp-faced, warp-patterned alpaca weave. Dimensions: 225 cm. x 210 cm. Composed of seven separately woven strips. Four of these strips consist of plain warp stripes (as many as 22 per strip) displaying a wide ranging palette of colors (all natural dyed) and three strips of compounded complementary-warp weave, the center one possessing a discontinuous-warp neck opening with silk appliqué lining. The designs are mostly floral-baroque, with some syncretic iconography (Mermaids, Condors, Tocapu derivations) prudently interspersed. A unique piece.

Private Collection J.A.

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