Mantle
Unknown Artist
c. 300 BCE–200 CE
Medium
plain weave with embroidery; camelid fiber
Dimensions
154.9 × 292.1 cm · mounted: 162.6 × 299.7 cm
Classification
Textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
The Norweb Collection
Accession Number
1946.226
About this artwork
Buried in shaft-tombs or rectangular sunken chambers, the Paracas dead were wrapped in layers of cloth and were accompanied by pottery, food, and other offerings. The dry environment of the Paracas Peninsula has preserved many of these goods, including the richly ornamented garments buried with important individuals. This mantle, probably worn like a cloak, was part of a set of matching garments that also includes a shirt and a long headband. To create this garment, three strips of blue cloth we...