Photo of collection object Tunic
Inca. Tunic, 1400-1532. Textile. Camelid fiber, 33 7/8 x 29 1/8 in. (86 x 74 cm). Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.224.133. Creative Commons-BY.

Tunic

1400-1532

Inca

Arts of the Americas

The design on this tunic is referred to as the “Inca key checkerboard” pattern, and it is one of five standardized tunic styles produced by specialized Inca weavers. In order to guarantee a supply of fine textiles, the Inca incorporated camelid herding and textile production into a state policy, setting up weaving workshops and collecting labor taxes (mit’a) in the form of woven garments and other requisite products.

The detailed embroidery on each side of this tunic and the zigzag across the hem were probably added after the garment was woven, to elevate the tunic, and the person wearing it, to a higher status.

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El diseño presente en esta túnica se conoce como “tablero de ajedrez con motivo de llave inca,” y es uno de los cinco estilos de túnicas estandarizados, producido por tejedores incas especializados. Para garantizar un suministro de textiles de alta calidad, los incas convirtieron el pastoreo de camélidos en política de estado, establecieron talleres y dispusieron impuestos sobre el trabajo (mit’a), bajo la forma de prendas de vestir tejidas y otros productos requeridos.

El minucioso bordado a cada lado de esta túnica y el zigzag a través del dobladillo fueron probablemente añadidos luego de haber tejido la prenda, para elevar la túnica y la persona que la lleva, a un estatus más elevado.
Maker/Artist
Inca
Classification
Clothing
Formatted Medium
Textile. Camelid fiber
Dimensions
33 7/8 x 29 1/8 in. (86 x 74 cm)
Accession Number
86.224.133
Credit Line
Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.
Rights Statement
Creative Commons-BY
Dominant Colors

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