Experts in Finding Rare Art Objects for Your Collecting Interests. A UNIQUE AND FABULOUS HISTORIC SHOULDER BLANKET FROM THE ALTIPLANO OF BOLIVIA. Provenance: Altiplano (Bolivian Plateau), elevation 11,500 to 14,000 feet, Plurinational State of Bolivia, South America. This special offer consists of an authentic indigenous Native American hand-woven warp-faced blanket from the high Bolivian Plateau, or Altiplano. The blanket was woven in two nearly identical parts on a primitive, provisional stick loom and joined with a common double-thread seam. This is a very unusual textile for a variety of reasons. Most warp-faced banded blankets are woven with the bands running the long-length of a rectangular textile. Thus, if the bands were viewed horizontally, a blanket would normally appear wider than tall. In this case, however, the bands are shorter than the longest dimension of the textile. Furthermore, both halves of the textile are themselves proportionately typical of complete, although smaller, blankets. It´s rather like two separate blankets sewn together. In the Andes, the general paradigm regarding warp-faced textiles worn on the body is that women wear clothing with bands and stripes running horizontally and men with bands or stripes running vertically. There is a multitude of exceptions, especially concerning donning blankets, but the custom is mostly true. In the case of this relatively large, soft and supple shoulder blanket, there can be little question that the piece was woven exclusively for male use since it would have been worn with the bands oriented in a vertical position. Another curious occurrence is the use of 3-ply yarns. Most of the cream-colored field yarns in this blanket are 3-ply: Z-spun, S-plied. The predominant hand-spun and homespun Andean yarns since at least late-prehistoric times are 2-ply. The vast majority are indeed Z-spun, S-plied but the use of 3-ply yarns is extremely rare. Our ICB investigations have discovered that near the end of the 19th century, traditional weaving in the Andes underwent numerous, quite interesting alterations. Sheep and llama wool became more common than alpaca. Mixing wool from different species and trying unique preparation methods became common practice. Dyes, including recently introduced aniline powders, were prepared with a multitude of new mordants on new varieties of yarn. Intrusive trade yarns became more popular and more varied. Older, traditional woven designs were often modified and new design patterns were created. The decades flanking the turn-of-the-19th century were times of diversity and experimentation among native weavers. This blanket is representative of that remarkable era in the Andean weaving tradition. TM7875 is a large wearing blanket. It weighs only 4 ½ pounds (slightly over 2 kilograms 73.2 ounces). Because different yarns were used in its construction, the warp count varies from around 20 to 34 per inch; there are 7.5 wefts per inch. Most of the lighter yarns have darkened from age and usage. The cream-colored yarns especially, have a noticeable, attractive sheen. Dyed blue and red stripes originally decorated the blanket but both colors have nearly completely faded away: the original red is a barely noticeable light rose, melon or salmon shade; the original blue is a very light shade of green. There is still a light red band in the center that was prepared with a different mordant. It too has faded but not as significantly as the other dyed colors. Many of the narrow gray stripes are peppered from mixed dark and light yarns called ch imi in Quechua and ch ixlli et. This is a beautiful, interesting shoulder blanket in wonderful condition that has an old, Southwest tribal look. Approximate Age: Late-19th century to turn-of-the-19th century, circa 1890. Please refer to the ANDESAMAZON DATING TERMS. Materials: Hand-spun, two-ply and three-ply dyed and natural sheep and llama wool. Approximate Size: 67 inches by 57 inches. Condition: EXCELLENT, well-used condition. There are no holes, unsightly worn spots or dye-run. Overall, there is light discoloring and darkening from use and age. The dyed colors have significantly faded with age and exposure. The center seam is intact and in perfect condition; it looks original but may have been replaced historically, although very long ago. There are a couple of tiny spots with broken warp yarns but none with broken weft yarns. The textile is basically worn evenly throughout although the ends are much thinner where it was held in place with hands while wrapped around the body. Please refer to the photos and the ANDESAMAZON TEXTILE “CONDITION” TERMS. DURING THE VIRUS PANDEMIC. International Bolivian postal service is happenstance during the C-19 pandemic. In 12 to 14 days. AND INCLUDE TRACKING NUMBERS FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. ANDES AMAZON “DATING” TERMS. PREHISTORIC, PRE-COLUMBIAN, ANCIENT = Before around A. 18TH CENTURY = A. 19th CENTURY = 1800 to 1899. TURN-OF-THE-19TH-CENTURY = 1890 to 1910. EARLY-20TH CENTURY = 1900 to 1933. MID-20TH CENTURY = 1934 to 1966. LATE-20TH CENTURY = 1967 to 1999. TURN-OF-THE-20TH-CENTURY = 1995 to 2005. EARLY-21ST CENTURY = 2000 to Present. ANTIQUE = Over 50 years old. VINTAGE = Over 30 years old. CONTEMPORARY = Made in the last 5 years. CIRCA = Approximately/around/within a few years of. ANDES AMAZON TEXTILE CONDITION TERMS. Terms used to describe the physical condition of textiles can be subjective and vary greatly from one observer to another. What some others call mint condition, we call good; what others call excellent condition, we call fair. Following are explanations of the terms we use. MINT = Like new. Unused — as if recently removed from the loom. No wear or patina of any kind. These textiles may have nubs or even loose, uncut threads from the weaving process. EXCELLENT = Usually only lightly used, often guarded or stored for many years. There may be extremely light wear, patina and sheen from use. There may also be nearly undetectable light staining or soiling from use. The colors may have muted ever so slightly due to age or exposure, often improving the beauty of a textile. VERY GOOD = Usually lightly or only periodically used. The surface may be very lightly but evenly worn. There are no tears or distracting holes. There may be minimal surface discoloration. Vintage textiles may have lightly darkened yarn from use and age (staining and soiling). Overall, the textile will be in outstanding condition and at a displayable distance will appear perfect. GOOD = Usually moderately to well-used. There may be light to medium staining, isolated or throughout. Some parts of the textile may be worn or have very small holes, occasionally exposing hidden thread yarns. Edges may be lightly frayed. Surface discoloration due to age and exposure is common but often improving the appearance of a textile. There may be minor, light or isolated, dye run. Damage will not distract significantly from the textile when displayed. FAIR = Either well-used or moderately abused. Extensive wear is common as is some bleeding or dye run. In most 20th century cases, the colors have considerably faded. Sections of fringe or tassels may be missing. Textiles may be in otherwise excellent condition but with a single isolated sector of damage, that greatly reduces its aesthetic appeal. Most vintage tribal textiles on the market are in FAIR TO GOOD condition. POOR = Showing evidence of extreme usage and damage. These textiles do not display well and are primarily useful as study specimens or examples of sometimes very rare textiles. We believe the world deserves improving. We believe in a higher, aspiring destination for humanity. We know that conflicts decline through mutual respect. We know that understanding our differences leads to mutual wellbeing. We trust that our Mother Earth and our Universe provide unlimited resources for every man, woman and child to live in peace, happiness and love. As stewards of the human race, our intrinsic responsibility rests on improving our world as much as possible. Native groups, also known as tribal folk, original residents, indigenous people, aboriginals, First Nations, traditional ethnicities, autochthonous societies, autochthonal cultures, et. Dominated human existence until recently. At some point, of course, we all shared common ancestors regardless of current culture, creed or color. Regrettably, however, in the past 500 years or so, thousands of unique tribal groups disappeared due to misunderstanding and impudence. Uncontrolled aspects of colonialism, ethnocentrism, racism and politicization led to the direct and circuitous destruction of myriad native groups, each representing a valuable resource for our planet. Over 6000 of the nearly 7000 languages currently spoken face danger of extinction. The vast majority of those constitute ethnic indigenous tongues. We believe in cherishing and carefully supporting the very few Native groups that remain on earth, even while standing on the brink of losing them. Disconnecting with indigenous spirit, wisdom and traditional knowledge represents a loss for all of us. In many cases, physical creations represent our only resources for understanding past human beliefs and aspirations. For more than a quarter century, the professional interests of those behind ANDESAMAZON remain dedicated to documenting traditional South American indigenous cultures, especially through their material culture. Our field studies lead us to some of the most remote people on the continent. Through the years, we witnessed certain Native Americans existing nearly exactly as their ancestors did in prehistoric times and others jumping from 18th century existence to 21st century reality in the blink of an eye. The benefits of our ethnographic investigations manifest as valuable data related to linguistics, cultural history, ethno-environmental relationships, socio-cultural organization, cosmology, mythology, spirituality and of course, material culture. Our holistic approach to understanding the past through material arts contributes authentic information related to the people who created those pieces. Not only can beautiful and interesting objects enhance ones´ personal environment, but they also provide invaluable knowledge regarding different ideologies, unique ways of life and past or nearly extinct traditions. ANDESAMAZON suggests sharing with companions, friends and especially children, whatever understanding, knowledge and insights you obtain from our objects. In this small way, we feel inspired in preserving something of native cultures and making the world a better place. Thank you for working with us. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT. The item “FABULOUS 19th c ANDES INDIAN WEARING BLANKET Big Eccentric Tribal Textile TM7875″ is in sale since Thursday, December 27, 2018. This item is in the category “Antiques\Ethnographic\Native American”. The seller is “andesamazon” and is located in Santa Cruz, . This item can be shipped worldwide.