Gift of Dr. Werner Muensterberger

Wooden cup or kero decorated with polychrome designs in which pigments are inlaid in the wood. The scene on the upper register depicts a Chuncho dance, which was performed throughout the colonial period and into the 20th century, to commemorate the Inca defeat of the Chunchos. The Chunchos or Anti were a tropical highland group who were regarded by the Inca as savages. The human figures in the upper register are shown in Spanish dress. The middle register consists of tocapu designs and the lower register is decorated with images of flora and fauna.

The Inca considered textiles more valuable than precious metals or gems. Textiles were symbols of power; clothing styles and designs identified a wearer’s social status. Rulers wore the finest tapestry-weave garments, called cumbi, such as the tunic displayed here. The unusual vicuña fringe on this tunic may have been added later.

In order to guarantee a supply of fine textiles, the Inca expanded herding and textile production into a state policy, setting up weaving workshops and collecting labor taxes in the form of woven garments.

Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.

Gift of Ernest Erickson

Size: miniature. Probable wearer: female. Vertical camelid fiber warp. Camelid fiber weft. Camelid fiber crossed looping and other embellishment. Weft-faced plain weave with bands of complementary weft, float weave (reversible).

Museum Expedition 1941, Frank L. Babbott Fund

Museum Expedition 1941, Frank L. Babbott Fund

Museum Expedition 1941, Frank L. Babbott Fund

Gift of Ernest Erickson