Wari. <em>Tunic</em>, 600–1000. Camelid fiber, cotton, 38 3/16 x 57 1/16 in. (97 x 144.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.224.109. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.224.109_SL1.jpg)

Tunic

Artist:Wari

Medium: Camelid fiber, cotton

Geograhical Locations:

Dates:600–1000

Dimensions: 38 3/16 x 57 1/16 in. (97 x 144.9 cm)

Collections:

Exhibitions:

Accession Number: 86.224.109

Image: 86.224.109_SL1.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
Sleeved tunic with neck opening and fringed bottom. Making up its overall design are alternate bands: six that are patterned and seven that are plain red. Patterned bands continue to the edge of each sleeve, becoming very narrow at the tunic's sides. The patterned bands contain a repetitive profile of a winged figure holding a staff. Each reverses its direction along the vertical. With one bent leg below its body and the other above it, each figure floats against the ground. The solid-colored body is simplified except for a hatched design at the waist (ribs? belt?). Its headdress is made up of two bird heads with a border of stepped frets underneath. Its staff is held parallel to the tunic's shoulder seam, then turns under the figure's body and ends in the shape of a fanged animal head. A wing-like appendage emerges from its lower back and "squares" around a foot, then lies parallel to the bottom of the tunic. The imagery reflects the iconography of the monumental stone sculpture of the ceremonial site Tiwanaku in Bolivia (500-1000 A.D.) The patterns have four different color schemes arranged diagonally. Condition: The neck slit of the tunic is worn. Surface of garment overall shows wear. Some diagonal slits are open and some are repaired. Size: Adult. Probable wearer: Male. Horizontal cotton warp. Camelid fiber weft. Camelid fiber fringe. Tapestry weave with interlocked discontinuous wefts (reversible). Crossed looping embellishment at neck and arm holes.

Brooklyn Museum