Shamans, Supernaturals & Animal Spirits: Mythic Figures From the Ancient Andes

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Fragment from a Mantle or Hanging?
Cryptic Jaguars
Wari-related culture (North-Central Coast?)
AD 800-1100
Cotton; doublecloth
35" x 35"
The long, lean form of a prowling jaguar is obscured by
a puzzle of lines and other motifs in three contiguous
panels from a mantle or mural hanging. The black, red and
white coloration is distinctive, and recalls the palette of many
pottery traditions (particularly Recuay). The compression and
expansion of the figure derives from Wari design conventions.
It takes an effort of perception to pick out the outline of the
animal within the overwhelmingly dense, multidirectional
geometric patterns that consume the positive and negative
space, both within and around the figure. The viewer’s eye
is directed by a few signs that indicate the eyes and mouth
of the feline. The dark and light rosettes of the jaguar’s pelt
are similarly conveyed by interlocking serpentine chains that
terminate in heads of all kinds (snakes, harpy eagles, skulls).
Although the design is strongly horizontal, when turned
vertically, the half-form of a squat anthropomorphic figure
(split down the middle) can be discerned amid the intensive
red and white patterning of the center panel. Its oversized
head, wide mouth and concentric eyes are reminiscent of the
Oculate Being icon that dominated Early Paracas iconography.
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