The purpose of this study was to analyze textile motifs represented in The John and Mary Carter Collection of Pre-Columbian Peruvian Textiles, Florida State University. Objectives were (1) to investigate literature providing the historical context of pre-Columbian Peru, a description of Peruvian textiles, and specific textile motifs; (2) to identify and classify selected motifs by source, artistic interpretation, and arrangement, and to suggest possible cultural interpretations. / A preliminary examination was conducted to select the sample of 153 fabrics having an identifiable motif(s). The data collection worksheet was designed, tested, and revised. Each textile was visually examined. Data were recorded and tabulated. Motifs were described and possible cultural associations were suggested. / Fifty-seven geometric shapes were found. Every textile (100%) contained at least one geometric shape. Fifteen textiles (10%) had one or more stylized motifts believed to be plants. One hundred and five fabrics (69%) included one or more motifs presumed to be animals. Twenty-one textiles (14%) contained motifs believed to be human figures and faces. Motifs resembling implements were found on two fabrics (1%). Ten fabrics (7%) contained motifs classified as ambiguous. The most frequently encountered arrangements were one-way, border, or a combination of the two. / Works of sixteenth century chroniclers provided added insights into Peruvian cultures. Textile artisans selected their broad design repertory from familiar objects, plants, animals, and human forms. Some domesticated animals such as dogs and guinea pigs were not generally employed as textile motifs. Motifs might be depicted in a geometric or stylized interpretation and may have had both decorative and symbolic functions. Fabrication techniques were related to interpretation. The predominance of one-way and border arrangements reflected the use of the back-strap loom. / Textiles were excellent vehicles for the spread of religious and cult symbols and the quipu was useful in recording numerical observations. These aspects gave textiles a communicative function. The artisan's labor as well as the finished fabric were regarded with such value that professional weavers worked full-time and were state-supported. The persistence or change of motifs over time allows researchers to make inferences as a provenience and data of unidentified specimens. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 42-06, Section: A, page: 2537. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1981.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_74492 |
| Contributors | RAISON, VICKI LOU., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 276 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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