Border Fragment

Paracas South coast, Peru →

paracas necropolisearly intermediate periodperuvianparacastextileneedlework (visual works)

Date

100 BCE-200 CE

Medium

Cotton, plain weave; embroidered with wool (camelid) in stem stitches

Dimensions

39.4 × 20.3 cm (15 1/2 × 8 in.)

Museum

Art Institute of Chicago

Location

Chicago, IL

Credit

Gift of Alan R. Sawyer

The distinctive stylized figure depicted on this fragment has wide eyes and an upturned mouth, with streamers or appendages trailing from its body. Scholars have named this figure the “oculate being” because of its wide eyes. However, it remains a matter of debate whether the figure represents a particular supernatural entity or a stylized figural representation.

Also notable

Works in the same vein

Fragment (Border)

Paracas Necropolis Peru, south coast, Paracas Peninsula

Poncho Displaying Contorted Figures

Paracas South coast, Peru

Mantle

Paracas South coast, Peru

Jar with Anthropomorphic Figure

Paracas Ocucaje area, Ica Valley, south coast, Peru