TEXTILE FABRICS OF ANCIENT PERU. 



17 



doue in colors in fairly close imita- 

 tion of nature. Such objects were 

 probably toys for children. 



Tiiere are also embroideries of ex- 

 cellent quality and most pleasing de- 

 sign. They are mostly worked upon 

 a net-like fabric doue in the twined 

 style, and are in some cases so delicate 

 as to resemble lace. 



Strong, compact clotbs were some- 

 times used as a foundation for em- 

 broideries, and especially for the 

 application of designs in feathers. 

 Stamped or printed figures appear to 

 be extremely rare, and I know of no 

 well-authenticated examples. 



Devices were used in dyeing by 

 means of which spots arranged in 

 simple patterns were left uncolored. 



Painting on fabrics was quite ex- 

 tensively practiced. The figures em- 

 l)loyed are in most cases copied from 

 the formal sub-geometric figures of 

 the woven work, and are often crude 

 in conception and executiou. 



A full discussion of the textile relics 

 of the sea-board belt of Peru would 

 require many additional illustrations. 

 These can not now be prepared to ad- 

 vantage as our collections are very 

 incomplete. So far as a presentation 

 of the articles themselves is concerned 

 the work of Eeiss and Stiibel makes 

 the publication of additional illustra- 

 tions for that purpose seem superflu- 

 ous. What is now particularly called 

 for is a thorough study of the bearing 

 of this great group of art products 

 upon the questions of technical and 

 aesthetic evolution, but this work is 

 better postponed until more thorough 

 exploration of the many burial sites 

 is made. 





MSto. 



Fig. 11.— Portion of a fringed mantle of remark- 

 able construction and great beauty. 



9008- 



