Peruvian Rug / Hand-Woven Wool Textile from Northern Peru

This unique textile originates from the Northern Andes of Peru near the area formerly known as Andamarca, present day Huamachuco and surrounding areas. It was made from hand-dyed and hand-spun wool that is hand-sheared from locally reared sheep. It was then woven on a hand-made loom in two separate parts (hence
the line down the middle and the rough symmetry between the two sides).

The whole process is very laboriousand has been passed down through generations. Sadly, this weaving tradition, like many others, is quickly dying out as many youth move to the cities. This textile was likely made sometime in the 1980s. The patterns and style of this textile, and the small area it comes from, have an unbroken direct lineage, connection and continuity with intricate and remarkable Incan weaving traditions, designated solely for Incan nobility, making
them (and the other textiles in the region) unique in South America.

How the weaving traditions of this region survived the Spanish conquest is a fascinating and miraculous story, and little was known about the origin and history of these textiles until relatively recently, as explained in the book that accompanies this textile, “Andamarcan Textiles: An Elite Inca Weaving Tradition from Peru.”

As you’ll also see in the book, textiles such
as this one have been donated to and accepted as part of the permanent collections of institutions such as the
Smithsonian, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Field Museum, Southwest Museum, Phoebe Hearst Museum and Gene Autry Museum.

The size of the textile is approximately 56 inches x 70 inches. The textile can be used as a (very warm!)
blanket, an area rug (though it can be slippery on wood or laminate so be sure to put anti-slip material
underneath it) or it can be used decoratively, such a wall hanging or folded over a chair or couch or bed
cover/runner.

They are typically valued at over $5,000.