Loom Item Number: 3263/81 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Loom. Consists of a partially completed miniature loincloth tied to two bars (part a) and a removable sword (part b). Sword intertwined in centre of weaving. Sword and bars are made of dark brown-grey wood. Loincloth has rows of design across entire surface. Row designs, from top to bottom, are: plain, three rows of vertical diamonds, line through centre with alternating blocks of colour, "X" design across length, checkerboard pattern, "X" design across length, plain, checkerboard pattern, plain, horizontal diamonds, and checkerboard pattern. Designs done in golden brown, dark brown, red, brown-black and white. Rest of weaving is incomplete and golden brown in colour. Thin metal ring on right side of weaving, on the top bar.
Loom appears to have been constructed quickly, likely for inclusion in a burial. The sword (part b) would have been used for making the sheds during weaving.
Loincloth patterns of diamonds and stripes are weft-faced.
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.