Description:

Pre-Columbian, Central Coast Peru, Chancay, ca. 1100 to 1400 CE. A pair of ancient textile dolls with human hair and a woven bag or pillow. The body and limbs are made of dried straw and grasses wrapped in camelid wool yarn, and covered with woven textiles also of camelid wool and cotton. The facial features are woven (not embroidered) which indicates their age, and real human hair is also characteristic of authentic dolls. The square panel is sewn together as with remains of leaf and vegetal matter inside, possibly coca leaves. The dolls are mounted to the bag in modern times with thread to demonstrate how these funerary goods may have been deposited together. Scholars believe that such dolls were created to represent mortals rather than supernatural deities or spirits and multiple dolls are often found in tombs - their purpose is unclear, but it is probable they represented family members or servants to accompany the deceased to the afterlife. Size of textile: 15" L x 13.75" W (38.1 cm x 34.9 cm); frame: 21.5" L x 17.5" W (54.6 cm x 44.4 cm)

Provenance: private Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA collection; ex-Minerva Gallery; ex-Benjamin Vega, California, USA, acquired in 2006 to 2007; ex-Gene and Virginia George, brought to the USA from 1961 to 1966

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#181391

  • Condition: Tearing and fraying to textile on both dolls as shown, with losses to fibers on face of right doll and clothing. Tears and losses to fabric panel. Mounted in a modern wood and glass frame. Active flaking to stuffing material inside of textile pillow / bag.

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November 9, 2023 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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