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

267
Painted Frieze
Interlocking Figuration
Chancay culture
AD 1000-1476
Cotton; plain weave painted with iron oxide dyes
12" x 6¼"
Many of the stylized birds represented in north and central
coast textile imagery feature the parrot's concentric
eyes; short, hooked bill; and long, tapering tail.
Although they share a two-toned brown-and-tan color scheme,
these two interpretations of the motif are executed in distinct
techniques and modes—woven doublecloth and painting—
that are characteristic of later-phase Chancay textile traditions.
The consistency of the painted line in cat. 267 (left) suggests
the use of a stencil.
Such figural designs either derived from or inspired and
influenced architectural friezes sculpted with interlocking
rows of stylized waves, seabirds, parrots, fish, manta rays and
other marine iconography.
In a conceptual play on its doublecloth structure, cat. 268
(opposite) deftly works in a double entendre. When the cloth
is rotated sideways, the parrots turn into small quadrupeds.
possibly llama or deer (see detail at right).
246