1989.W.2431 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

white (color): AAT: 300129784

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

1976-1989: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, on long-term loan from the above [1], [2]

From 1989: Dallas Museum of Art, the Nora and John Wise Collection, bequest of Nora Wise [1]

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

[2] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.

Apply to objects where number equals 1989.W.2431