Framed Large Pre-Columbian Gauze Textile Panel Chancay Culture

A large framed Pre-Columbian hand-woven gauze panel with open lattice design from Chancay culture (10-15th century). Located in Northern Central coast across three valleys: Huaura, Chancay and Chillon. the Chancay culture thrived for many centuries before being conquered and incorporated by its Northern neighbor Chimu. In Chancay culture, gauze weave distinguished itself from the other textiles in the Andean regions. These delicate pieces with open work designs were often used as head clothes for women and possibly related to the tradition of coastal fishing, as the art form likely grew out of techniques from making fishing nets.
Gauze clothes like this were woven by the weaver carefully crossing twisted warp yarns over one another to create openings and sets those openings in place with weft yarns.
The large fragment of the gauze on offer here was most likely part of a head cloth. It features alternate oblique bands of "Greek Key" fretwork and repetitive zoomorphic motif. The animal depicted, with its raised ears and curled tail that echos the key pattern, appears to be dog. Dog, more specifically, the indigenous Perro Sin Pelo del Perú, was widely presented in the ceramic and textile art from Moche to Chimu/Chancay to Inca culture.
The panel, with its highly graphic design, was well preserved and visually intriguing. It is beautifully presented in mat and a dark wood frame.
Provenance: From an American collection collected in Peru in 1970s. Hence by descent.
Reference: For Chancay gauze weaving, see plate 34-44 in "Textiles of Ancient Peru and Their Techniques" by D'Harcourt.