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

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Sash with Tassels
Crowned Birds (Pelicans?)
North Coast culture (Chimú?)
AD 1000-1476
Cotton, camelid wool; tapestry weave,
supplementary weft (brocade), wrapping,
looping, braiding, knotting
68" x 2"
Literature
Rowe 1984, fig. 46.
Luxurious terminations found at both ends of a long sash
or turban feature an exceptionally varied combination of
materials, techniques, patterns and textures. The rich range of
color stands out within the body of Chimú tassels, tabs and
other applied decorative materials, which are predominantly
executed in bright red.
The irregular sequence and number of colors used for the
vibrantly striped, plush end cords recall the kind of colorcoding
employed for the khipu, the classic Andean knot-andstring
record.
Despite its strong graphic quality, there is a visual ambiguity to
the representation of a seabird with an unusual double-blade
headdress and a similarly angular body. The repetition, rotation
and color opposition have a kinetic effect, conveying the
impression that the motif is facing or moving in all directions
at once (an effect enhanced, perhaps, by the swaying tassels).
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