A fine Proto-Nazca Linked Muñeca Mantle Fringe, Ca. 100 - 600 CE

This striking Proto-Nazca textile border features a continuous row of twelve linked muñeca (doll-like) figures, woven arm-to-arm in a single register. The figures are depicted in alternating colors of red, gold, green, orange, and blue. Each figure has a compact, woven head and torso, with long, flowing fiber bundles suspended below. These extended fibers likely represent stylized hair, and their preservation is notable, as such elements are often lost over time.

Originally designed as a decorative fringe for the edge of a mantle or garment, the captivating procession of figures would have shifted and swayed with motion, creating a lively, animated effect. The textile is hand-woven from fine Ilama fibre, with strong colour retention and a tight weave. The uniqueness of each figure, combined with their shared physical connection, reflects the playful yet sophisticated storytelling style seen in the south-coastal textile art of the Early Intermediate Period. Today, the fragment is expertly mounted on a textile backing, set on a wooden stretcher, and custom-framed in plexiglass for both stability and display. It is remarkably preserved, and its visual harmony captivates the eye, standing as a striking testament to the rich traditions of early Nazca weaving.

Medium: Llama fibre

Dimensions: Width: 11.25 ins (28.57 cm), Height: 4.0 ins (10.16 cm), Width: 16.0 ins (40.64 cm), Height: 12.0 ins (30.48 cm)

Condition: Very well preserved with strong color and tight weave. The survival of the full hair-like strands sets this example apart, as these delicate elements are seldom intact. Professionally mounted for stability and display. 

Provenance: From the distinguished collection of Justin Kerr and Dicey Taylor, New York City. Kerr, celebrated for pioneering rollout photography and for creating the comprehensive Maya Vase Database, assembled many of the finest examples of Classic Maya painted ceramics during the 1970s and early 1980s. Taylor, an art historian and curator, worked closely with Kerr in cataloguing and researching the collection, and the couple became well known for their scholarship and connoisseurship in Maya art.