The fine tapestry weave of this multicolored bag is a testament to textile art production during the Middle Horizon (600-1000 CE). With cream and olive cotton warps—the longitudinal threads largely hidden by the colorful surface designs—the wefts are woven tightly across the front and back panels, which are stitched together at the sides and base. The polychrome designs are quite complex, created by up to fifteen colors. Frontal and profile avian faces are recognizable through their vertically divided black-and-white eyes.

Adapted from

Kimberly L. Jones, PhD, Inca: Conquests of the Andes / Los Incas y las conquistas de los Andes, Label text [1989.W.2320; 1989.W.2321], 2015.