Lena Bjerregaard Knihy

In ancient Peru, textiles served as vital symbols of status and communication within sophisticated, non-literate societies. Utilizing local fibers like camelid wool and cotton, the preColumbian peoples excelled in dyeing techniques, creating vibrant colors from natural sources. This publication showcases 133 selected pieces from the Roemer- and Pelizaeus-Museum's collection of 405 preColumbian textiles, highlighting the artistry and significance of these exquisite artifacts, which encoded cultural narratives in their intricate designs.

Focusing on pre-Columbian textiles, this volume features seven original articles that explore findings from Mexico, integrating 20th-century discoveries with new contexts. A standout chapter details the technical analysis and replication of a tunic found in Arizona, highlighting its significance within the Mesoamerican interaction sphere. Additionally, thirteen articles delve into archaeological textiles from the central Andes, covering various historical periods and significant textile assemblages from museum collections and recent excavations.

A beautifully illustrated reference book that explores the textiles of the Andes, their patterns, fibres, feathers and techniques The Incas and their predecessors are renowned for their ceramics, their precious metalwork and their colossal stone buildings. But how did they dress? Precious textiles were used by the Incas not only to clothe themselves but also as a symbol of power and identity, for sacrificial purposes and as a means of exchange. This book showcases a breathtaking selection of textiles and feathers, as well as gold, silver and shell jewelry. With texts by ten renowned scholars and over 300 colour illustrations, Inca: Textiles and Ornaments from the Andes will allow you to discover the Inca's mastery of the art of weaving, the incredible motifs and the variety of colours of fibres and feathers used in their textiles.