1991.380 Pendant bag with tassels (Peru, south coast)

This pendant bag presents a unique form of coca bag used by the Late Horizon (1400-1532 CE) or early Spanish Colonial period (1400-1550 CE). The top portion consists of a cotton bag brocaded with dyed camelid fibers; the bottom half is a purely decorative addition with similar surface brocade and long red tassels. The bag features standing quadrupeds—presumably camelids—situated in rows and set against a red ground. Given its substantial length and imagery, the pendant bag may have been an item associated with a particular class of Inca nobles.

Kimberly L. Jones, PhD, Inca: Conquests of the Andes / Los Incas y las conquistas de los Andes, Label text [1989.W.2431; 1991.380], 2015.

Peru (nation): TGN: 1000056

textiles (visual works): AAT: 300014063

textile materials: AAT: 300231565

camelidae (camelid) fiber: AAT: 300310434

cotton (fiber): AAT: 300183670

weaving: AAT: 300053642

plain weave (process): AAT: 300312167

tabby (process): AAT: 300312167

warp: AAT: 300227930

weft: AAT: 300227934

tapestry (process): AAT: 300061981

interlocked tapestry: AAT: 300228526

net (textile): AAT: 300249438

netting (process): AAT: 300053637

tassel (trimming): AAT: 300232185

fringe (trimming): AAT: 300227830

Late Horizon Period: AAT: 300017332

bags (costume accessories): AAT: 300198926

pouches (bags): AAT: 300194553

coca bags (costume accessories): DMA

coca (plants / Erythroxylum (genus) Erythroxylaceae (family)): AAT: 300411778

leaves (plant components): AAT: 300400479

chew (action): DMA

chuspas (ch’uspas / vistallas / bags (costume accessories)): AAT: 300410685

ritual (events): AAT: 300065284

ritual objects: AAT: 300312158

red (color): AAT: 300126225

green (color): AAT: 300128438

yellow (color): AAT: 300127794

brown (color): AAT: 300127490

geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764

diamonds (motifs): AAT:  300009791

stripes: AAT: 300010230

animals: DMA

camelidae (family): AAT: 300310434

merchants: AAT: 300025245

herdsmen: AAT: 300025615

shepherds: AAT: 300025617

Until d. 1986: Nora (d. 1986) and John Wise, New York [1], [2], [3]

1986-1991: Silas R. Mountsier III, U.S. Trust Company of New York, executor, the estate of Nora Wise (d. 1986), by bequest [1], [2], [3]

From 1991: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Silas R. Mountsier III, from the collection of Nora E. H. Wise and in her honor [1], [2]

[1] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated December 31, 1991), copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[1] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition List (n.d.), copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[2] The main source for this provenance is Deed of Gift (dated December 24, 1991), copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

Apply to objects where number equals 1991.380