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Textiles created by South, Central, and North American indigenous groups make up nearly half of The Textile Museum Collection. Among the most notable are eighth- and ninth-century Peruvian tunics and fragments from the Wari Empire, as well as late pre-Hispanic styles from Peru’s north (Chimu), central (Chancay), and south (Ica) coasts. Also represented are 20th-century weavings from Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia that continue pre-Hispanic traditions.
From Central America, we have textiles from over 50 villages in Guatemala, and a large collection of molas by the Kuna people of Panama.
Our small collection from North America includes sarapes, rebozos, and village costumes from Mexico, as well as textiles representing Navajo, Pueblo, and Tlingit traditions.
Man's tunic, Peru, Chimu style, ca. 1300–1400, 91.849
Woman's ceremonial overhuipil, Guatemala, Santa Apolonia, c. 1900, 1964.65.6
Man's tunic, Peru, Wari style, c. 700–900, 91.341
Woman's blouse panel (mola), Panama, San Blas Islands, Kuna people, 1960s, 1985.56.16
Fragment from a woman's dress, Peru, Chancay style, c. 1400–1570, 91.428
Child's mantle, southwestern United States, Navajo people, c. 1870, 86.6
Man's tunic, Peru, Wari style, c. 750–900, 91.343
Man's poncho, found in the Ica Valley, c. 1400–1570, 1969.43.1
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