Fragment: Quipu
Item number 3263/85 a-c from the MOA: University of British Columbia.
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- Data Source
This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.
Description
Quipu, or string abacus (incomplete). Three cords, the smallest of them split in three. The largest cord (part a) is white and made of two twisted strands of cotton fibre. Left end splits into two smaller branches. Second largest cord (part b) is brown-grey, made of two twisted strands of cotton fibre and has a series of five knots in its centre. Knots are closely spaced. Right end splits into two smaller branches. The smallest cord is dark brown and split into three pieces (part c). All parts are made of two twisted strands of cotton fibre. Right end tied off. Left end pieces are a series of three knots. Knots are closely spaced.
History Of Use
Inca style. The dark brown and light brown-grey cords fragments are definitely from a quipu. The three knots on the small fragment of the dark brown cord (part c) denotes three units. The five knots on the light brown-grey cord (part b) denote five tens, hundreds or thousands etc., depending on which rank of knots it belongs to. The white cord (part a) was likely part of the heading cord from which the other cords were suspended.
Narrative
Collected in Peru before the 1970s by Ina VanStan, a Professor of Textiles and Clothing at the Florida State College for Women (Florida State University) from the 1940s to c. 1966. VanStan later gifted her collection to the donor. A large amount of the donation was used for teaching at the University of Alberta while others were mainly small study fragments.
Item History
- Made in Peru between 1430 and 1570
- Owned by Ina VanStan
- Owned by Gary Frame before August 17, 2017
- Received from Gary Frame (Donor) on August 17, 2017
What
- Name
- Fragment: Quipu
- Identification Number
- 3263/85 a-c
- Type of Item
- quipu
- Material
- cotton fibre
- Part A
- height 1.9 cm, width 31.2 cm
- Part B
- height 1.6 cm, width 16.4 cm
- Part C
- height 0.5 cm, width 17.0 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Peru
Who
- Culture
- Inca
- Previous Owner
- Ina VanStan and Gary Frame
- Received from
- Gary Frame (Donor)
When
- Creation Date
- between 1430 and 1570
- Ownership Date
- before August 17, 2017
- Acquisition Date
- on August 17, 2017
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- poor
- Accession Number
- 3263/0085 a-c
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