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

270
Motif from a Mantle or Hanging?
Oystercatcher
Chancay culture
Circa AD 1300
Cotton, camelid wool; plain weave, embroidery
6" x 7"
269
Motif from a Mantle or Hanging?
Stilt
Chancay culture
Circa AD 1300
Cotton, camelid wool; plain weave, embroidery
7" x 8½"
Literature
Amano Museum 1979b, fig. 219.
Anton 1984, fig. 37.
Although these embroidered motifs are very
similar, subtle differences in the lengths and
curves of the birds’ red bills and legs identify two
different types of shorebird—Haematopus palliatus and
Phoenicopterus chilensis. Both species are commonly
seen beachcombers along the coastal mudflats,
lagoons and beaches of the Pacific coast.
The birds’ instantly recognizable, striking, blackand-white
plumage and ringed eyes are realistically
represented. But this naturalism is tempered by the
more puzzling inclusion of flamingo-like pink and
yellow tail feathers. That detail is noteworthy, because
although the south coast of Peru is home to huge
colonies of flamingos, that bird is rarely represented
in imagery (even though its pink-tinged feathers
were frequently used for regalia).
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