1984.W.1865 Sleeved tunic (Peru, Chimú)

During the Late Intermediate Period (900-1470 CE), the state of Chimor expanded across the Pacific coastline of modern-day Peru, extending to the north and south from the Chimú capital of Chan Chan in the Moche Valley. The Chimú produced fine ceramic vessels; gold, silver, and copper objects; precious stone and Spondylus shell adornments; and finely woven textiles from cotton, camelid fiber, and feathers. The textiles feature a range of colors, from natural creams, tans, and browns, to applied greens, blues, yellows, and reds. These objects served as important indicators of individual status and identity.

Based on the vertical (V-shaped) neckline, this tunic was likely worn by a male individual. When worn, the tunic would have extended over the individual's legs, possibly accompanied by a loincloth. The padded tunic features plain-weave, light-cream cotton fabric decorated with vertical bands of brown, tan, and cream—a color palette common to coastal textiles.

Kimberly L. Jones, PhD, Label text, 2017, A. H. Meadows Galleries.

Chimú: AAT: 300017316

Peru (nation): TGN: 1000056

Chimú (former nation/state/empire): TGN: 8698270

textiles (visual works): AAT: 300014063

textile materials: AAT: 300231565

cotton (fiber): AAT: 300183670

weaving: AAT: 300053642

plain weave (process): AAT: 300312167

tabby (process): AAT: 300312167

tabby (textile): AAT: 300227906

warp: AAT: 300227930

weft: AAT: 300227934

warp-faced (weave / textile weaving processes and techniques): DMA

warp patterning: AAT: 300228475

appliqué (technique): AAT: 300053646

s-spun or s-plied (s-twist/yarn by form of twist): AAT: 300227890

fringe (trimming): AAT: 300227830

Late Intermediate Period: AAT: 300017313

tunics (main garments): AAT: 300209869

geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764

geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213

geometric shape: AAT: 300263819

lines (geometric concept): AAT: 300056279

stripes: AAT: 300010230

bands (decorative): DMA

honeycomb (motif): AAT: 300218199

brown (color): AAT: 300127490

cream (color): AAT: 300266242

tan (color): AAT: 300266248

Chan Chan (deserted settlement): TGN: 1099735

Moche (river): TGN: 7016595

ceramics (object genre): AAT: 300151343

vessels (containers): AAT: 300193015

gold (metal): AAT: 300011021

silver (metal): AAT: 300011029

copper (metal): AAT: 300011020

stone: AAT: 300011176

shell (animal material): AAT: 300011829

spondylus shell (Spondylus genus/Spondylidae family): DMA

camelidae (camelid) fiber: AAT: 300310434

feather (material): AAT: 300011809

social status: AAT: 300065206

identity: AAT: 300257052

verticality: AAT: 300056325

male: AAT: 300189559

men (male humans): AAT: 300025928

nobility (nobles / aristocracy): AAT: 300025942

loincloths (main garments): AAT: 300209923

palette (color range): AAT: 300056166

Until 1976: Nora and John Wise, New York [1]

1976-1984: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, on long-term loan from the above [1]

From 1984: Dallas Museum of Art, the Nora and John Wise Collection, gift of Nora Wise [1], [2]

[1] The main source for this provenance is existing provenance information in TMS. Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[2] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated December 28, 1984), copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

Apply to objects where number equals 1984.W.1865