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

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Section from a Tunic
Abstracted Feline
Wari-related style (Chachapoyas?)
Circa AD 1000
Camelid wool; interlocking tapestry weave
35" x 21"
At the periphery of the Wari Empire, especially during the period of its decline, the
standardized, widespread repertory of supernatural icons was seemingly reproduced
with less understanding of both the artistic conventions and the sacred iconography.
This tapestry tunic from an unidentified tradition (Chachapoyas? Nasca?) seems to
be more concerned with resembling a typical Wari creation than with fulfilling the
aesthetic criteria and canons of the official ideology and imagery promulgated by that
culture. That motivation nevertheless communicates the extraordinary prestige of the
imperial-style weavings, and is reflected in the technical refinement and artful color
dyeing.
The eccentric translation of the staff-bearer in its feline aspect betrays the weaver’s (or
society's) ignorance of the standard icon. The figure has reverted to a surreal version of
the jaguar form, although it is debatable whether the flamboyant patterning is garbled
or rusticated, or whether the artist was simply confident that the mythological reference
would be understood.
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