**Originally Listed At $200**

New World, South America, Bolivia, Aymara (Aimara) people, ca. early 20th century CE. A ceremonial blanket, woven from alpaca wool of red, orange, green, beige, blue, and black hues. The mesmerizing and skillfully woven patterns feature various zoomorphic forms including stylized birds, reptiles, and donkeys. Size: 36" L x 33" W (91.4 cm x 83.8 cm)

The Aymara are an indigenous group who live in Bolivia, Peru, and Chile, in the Altiplano, mostly in the high altitude valley around Lake Titicaca. They are famous for their many different styles and types of woven textiles, which they have made for thousands of years. After the arrival of the Spanish, Aymara woven textiles became a way for indigenous people to mark their identity - first, as a symbol of status for Mestizos who could not afford European textiles, and then as a way of showing rebellion to the Spanish after other forms of clothing were outlawed following native uprisings. Today they continue to make these beautiful textiles, which have gained worldwide acclaim.

Provenance: private Ventura County, California, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#125225

Slight wear, but overall excellent.