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Sampler

A work made of cotton, plain weave; embroidered with cotton and wool (camelid) in back, cross, double running, running, satin, and stem stitches.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

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  • A work made of cotton, plain weave; embroidered with cotton and wool (camelid) in back, cross, double running, running, satin, and stem stitches.

Date:

A.D. 1/200

Artist:

Nazca
Peru, south coast, Nazca Valley, Coyungo

About this artwork

Images of birds are often presented in polychrome ceramics and textiles created by Nazca artists. the birds depicted in this panel are delicately rendered in white outlining and colored highlights, with embroidery reminiscent of earlier Paracas needlework. In their beaks, they carry various flora along with crustaceans, fish, insects, snakes, spiders, and worms. The design may have deeper meaning, using the food chain as a metaphor for transformation. There is a group of several similar examples of embroidered birds of Nazca origin, often referred to as samplers. Some scholars theorize that these works relate to a specific workshop or are evidence of strict guidelines and regulations for production.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Textiles

Culture

Nasca

Title

Sampler

Place

Peru (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

Made 1 CE–200 CE

Medium

Cotton, plain weave; embroidered with cotton and wool (camelid) in back, cross, double running, running, satin, and stem stitches

Dimensions

60 × 37.8 cm (23 5/8 × 14 7/8 in.)

Credit Line

Purchased with funds provided by Mrs. Edwin A. Seipp

Reference Number

1956.75

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/2059/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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