Stave 1935.32.0180
12 different figures are depicted, in rows of two. The bottom pair of figures cannot be seen, due to the stave being damaged. The more or less intact pairs of figures are, from top to bottom, as follows.
Uppermost pair: One figure is wearing a skirt. On its head it has a headpiece, hair pendants and a face mask from which a long tongue protrudes. In its hands it is holding a trophy head and a fan. It is bare-chested and appears to have visible ribs. The other figure is dressed in a tunic and leggings. It has a face mask, hair pendants and a necklace and is holding a knife and a trophy head. Its feet do not look human, since they have a toe pointing in the opposite direction to the other toes, like a thumb.
Second pair: One figure is wearing a tunic, loincloth and leggings, and perhaps a cape made of feathers. It is holding a knife and a trophy head. The other figure is wearing a skirt and is holding what may be a net bag. Ribs appear to be protruding from the upper part of its body. On its face it has a face mask
and headpiece, and its hair has been let down.
Third pair: One figure is wearing a tunic, skirt and leggings. It also has a face mask, hair pendants and headpiece. It is holding a trophy head to its mouth. The other figure has a tunic or poncho, a loincloth and leggings. On its head it is wearing a face mask and a semicircular headdress. It is holding a knife in one hand and an unidentified object in the other.
Fourth pair: One figure is wearing a skirt, a face mask and a headband. In one hand it is holding a short stave and in the other an unidentified object. The other figure has a tunic, skirt and leggings. On its head it has a headpiece, a face mask and hair pendants, and it has an article of jewellery round its neck. It is holding an unidentified object in one hand.
Fifth pair: This part of the stave is damaged, and neither of the figures is entirely visible. One figure can be seen to be wearing a poncho, skirt and leggings, as well as a face mask and bracelets. Two objects, possibly feathers, are visible at its forehead. The other figure is wearing a skirt and face mask and appears to have ribs protruding from the upper part of its body.
Description based on Paracas textiles Selected from the Museum’s Collections (Göteborg 1979) by Anne Paul.
Material and technique
Painting on leather, sewn round a wooden stave with cotton thread.
Dating and origin
Undated.
Facts
| Size | 93 cm. 1,7-3,4 cm |
|---|---|
| Item number | 1935.32.0180 |
| Tags | Face Mask, Anthropomorphic, Non-human feet, Trophy head |
| Categories | Other |
