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Cap with human-hair braids
Peruvian (South Coast, Middle Horizon)
Middle Horizon
AD 500-900
Object Place: Middle Horizion, South Coast, Peru
Medium/Technique
Camelid fiber, human hair, plant material; looping, oblique interlacing, wrapping
Dimensions
Height x width: 97 x 60.5 cm (38 3/16 x 23 13/16 in. )
Credit Line
Morris and Louise Rosenthal Fund, John Wheelock Elliot and John Morse Elliot Fund, Seth K. Sweetser Fund, Samuel Putnam Avery Fund, Arthur Mason Knapp Fund, Mary L. Smith Fund, and Susan Cornelia Warren Fund
Accession Number1996.8
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsCostumes
DescriptionCap with human-hair braids. A wig-like headgear consisting of a cap of natural brown camelid yarn worked in looping, from which falls a series of long human-hair braids (oblique interlacing), the lower 10 inches of which are wrapped with dyed camelid yarns to form a pattern of stepped triangles. Uncut loops of red camelid-fiber yarn secured in the end of each braid form a fringe along the lower edge of the "wig." At the point where the first and last braid join the cap edge are the remains of chin ties. Yellow yarn twining the braids in sequence, the 1 1/4 inch band of red along the top of the patterned area, and small sections of the wrapping appear to be recent repairs/additions. Camelid fiber, human hair, plant material; looping, oblique interlacing, wrapping.
ProvenanceBefore 1980, Carlota Mústiga (b. 1930 - d. 2018), Peru and Palm Beach, FL [see note]; by 1995, sold or consigned by Carlota Mústiga to Gail Martin Gallery, New York; 1996, sold by Gail Martin Gallery to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 24, 1996)
NOTE: At the time of acquisition, Gail Martin Gallery provided the MFA with a signed and notarized statement from Carlota Mústiga that the cap had been brought to the United States before 1980 with her family's household possessions.
NOTE: At the time of acquisition, Gail Martin Gallery provided the MFA with a signed and notarized statement from Carlota Mústiga that the cap had been brought to the United States before 1980 with her family's household possessions.