Tunic or Unku Item Number: 41.1275.106 from the Brooklyn Museum
Credit Line
Museum Expedition 1941, Frank L. Babbott Fund
Label
The Inca considered textiles more valuable than precious metals or gems. Textiles were symbols of power; clothing styles and designs identified a wearer’s social status. Rulers wore the finest tapestry-weave garments, called cumbi, such as the tunic displayed here. The unusual vicuña fringe on this tunic may have been added later.
In order to guarantee a supply of fine textiles, the Inca expanded herding and textile production into a state policy, setting up weaving workshops and collecting labor taxes in the form of woven garments.
Item History
- Made between 1400 and 1532
What
- Name
- Tunic or Unku
- Identification Number
- 41.1275.106
- Type of Item
- tunic and or
- Material
- camelid fibre and vincuna fringe
- Overall
- length 35.4375 in, width 31.125 in
Who
- Culture
- Inca
Where
- Holding Institution
- Brooklyn Museum
When
- Creation Date
- between 1400 and 1532
Other
- Classification
- Textile