Woven brilliance manifests in the textile traditions of the Andes in many ways. Pre-Columbian artisans incorporated special materials to make shiny and glimmering garments, composed of gold and silver plaques or colorful, iridescent feathers stitched onto the surface of cloth. But it was not until the Spanish introduction of metal yarns, composed of strips of silver or gilt-silver sheet wrapped around a core yarn that highly skilled Andean weavers developed ways to incorporate these special elements into a woven cloth.
In this online presentation, Dr. Elena Phipps will look at the ways in which silk and silver, along with the idea of woven brilliance, manifest in the textiles from the 16th century onwards, and how the concept of luster in cloth was constructed in part through the use of precious metal and silk, but also with traditional materials that connect to different aspects of Andean cultural value and belief systems.
Fee:
Virtual General $18
Virtual Student $7
Virtual Member FAMSF $7