Observations on Inca textiles

The complex design of this antique tunic would be impressive enough if it were embroidered. In fact, the pattern is woven. Really. It is of pre-Columbian Inca origins. John Hopper of The Textile Blog notes,

Although this was not a tunic to be worn as an everyday domestic piece of clothing, the standard that had been achieved by Peruvian weavers at the time of the Inca Empire, was considered so high and woven patterned textiles had become such an integral part of the life of many Peruvians, that in many cases textiles were considered to be more precious than gold or silver.

Read more of John’s observations about Peruvian textiles in the blog post.