Large rectangular panel with central face. Sihuas. A.D. 100 - 400. Camelid, cotton fiber. Height 38 1/4 in. Width 63 1/2 in... (Total: 1 Item Item)

Description

Large rectangular panel with central face
Sihuas
A.D. 100 - 400
Camelid, cotton fiber
Height 38 1/4 in. Width 63 1/2 in.

The main design of this textile with a deep cochineal red ground is a long horizontal rectangle, centered around a conventionalized rectangular frontal face. The rectangular eyes are outlined in black and divided into diagonally-opposed quadrants of red and yellow ocher. The red mouth shows three black teeth, and there are staggered red and ocher "tear" marks on the cheeks. Eight rays emanate from the central face, the principal four moving diagonally out to near the corners (a band is reserved at either end), the secondary four forming a cross. All eight bands divide at the ends and curl back into antenna-like pairs. The diagonal rays are staggered in steps, giving them a lightning-like quality, while the horizontal and vertical rays are straight. All the rays are comprised of striped bands in dark red, yellow ocher, white, and black.
The reserved band at either end contains four geometrically conventionalized standing figures, their orientation divided at the horizontal axis so that one sees two figures upright and two upside-down. The feet indicate movement outward toward the edge. A raised "right" arm is balanced by an upraised, striped tail, imparting a monkey-like quality. Their strong, angled outlines give them an abstract skeletal appearance.
Subordinate in the main field are four spiders, placed in the triangular spaces at the sides of the vertical rays. The legs of each pair of spiders are oriented to the textile edges. White being the principal color used, the spiders stand out with vibrant prominence. Small lozenges formed of variously-colored squares are scattered across the ground as fillers. Braided ties at the four corners indicate that the textile was used in some way as clothing or stretched and tied as a wall covering - perhaps both.
The condition is fair, with none of the patches or renewals altering the integrity of the original design. Major replacement areas are in the lower right quadrant, with scattered further patches and staining visible primarily on the right side.

Provenance
Westermann Collection, Germany (1950s - 70s)
Splendors of the World, Haiku, Hawaii



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