Loincloth

Description

Loincloths were basic men’s wear in ancient Peru. But the extraordinary size of some examples—this one is about eight feet long, unfolded—makes it difficult to know how they were worn, except that they were tied around the waist with the decorated panels hanging at the front and back of the body. The appearance may have been that of a billowing skirt.

Provenance

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Loincloth

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1425–1500 (radiocarbon date, 92.3% probability)

Accession Number

2005.5.2

Medium

cotton; plain weave, brocaded and complex alternating gauze with 5 shots of plain weave between gauze shots

Dimensions

Overall: 151.1 x 57.2 cm (59 1/2 x 22 1/2 in.); Mounted: 167.6 x 71.1 cm (66 x 28 in.)

Classification

Garment

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Norman O. Stone and Ella A. Stone Memorial Fund