Chancay Textile puppets (ca. 1000–1450 AD) - 22 cm
05
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
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Estimate € 3,900 - € 4,400
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Chancay culture textile puppets (Funerary Dolls) from ca. 1000–1450 AD in a German private collection, comprising two anthropomorphic dolls about 22 cm tall made of cotton, camelid wool and plant fibers with woven headbands and garments, plus a third item, a pre-Columbian hand spindle with spun camelid wool and fibers.
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Description from the seller
Pre-Columbian textile dolls from the central or southern coast of Peru. They resemble the so-called Funeral Dolls (Grabpuppen) or textile idols that were included as grave offerings.
* Chancay - Culture
The two funerary dolls are, in the opinion of an appraiser, the most significant pieces. Such completely preserved Chancay figures with clothing, hair, and headbands are not commonly found on the European market.
Lot 1
Peru, Chancay Culture (ascribed)
Anthropomorphic funerary doll
Late Intermediate Period, ca. 1000–1450 AD
Cotton, camelid wool and plant fibers.
Large anthropomorphic textile figure with a rectangular head, embroidered facial features, and applied woolen hair. The figure wears a woven headband with geometric decoration as well as a long woven garment. Several red-dyed cords wound around the neck and chest and textile appendages complete the depiction. Back with dense woolly hair covering.
Height ca. 22 cm.
Conservation with age-related wear, partial thread loss and small losses, overall remarkably complete.
Provenance: German private collection.
Lot 2
Peru, Chancay Culture
Anthropomorphic funerary doll
Late Intermediate Period, ca. 1000–1450 AD
Cotton, camelid wool and plant fibers.
Compact anthropomorphic textile figure with embroidered eyes, nose and mouth. Reddish woven headband, side-applied wool hair and patterned body cover. At the lower end remnants of an open net or woven pouch. The figure preserves a large part of its original textile adornment.
Height ca. 22 cm
Age-related defects, thread losses and signs of wear.
Provenance: German private collection.
⸻
Lot 3
Peru
Pre-Columbian hand spindle with thread
Wood, spun camelid wool and plant fibers.
Simple wooden spindle with wound thread, together with a bundle of unworked or partially prepared camelid wool. Comparable spindles are among the common grave offerings of pre-Columbian Peruvian cultures.
Origin: Acquired from the heirs of a teacher who purchased this object in the 1960s in Peru.
There is a provenance statement from the heirs and some old photos as proof of provenance
"☑ Compliance with European Legislation
I declare that I am familiar with Regulation (EU) 2019/880 and Regulation (EU) 2024/1070 (in force as of June 2025), and confirm that:
This object was not illegally exported from its country of origin after the date on which the 1970 UNESCO Convention entered into force for that specific country.
The object is accompanied by the documentation required by EU law for its legal import.
I undertake to provide any required export licenses or certificates of origin to European customs authorities.
☑ Disclaimer for Experts and Platforms.
This declaration is provided by the seller under their sole responsibility.The seller confirms knowledge of and compliance with Regulation (EU) 2024/1070 and all applicable laws concerning the sale and import of cultural goods.
Neither the platform nor its experts are liable for the accuracy, legality, or authenticity of the documents and statements provided.
Acceptance of the object on the platform does not imply legal validation of its importation or authentication.
The buyer is responsible for ensuring compliance with customs laws in their country."
Seller's Story
We are a Pre-Columbian Art Collector based in Germany with many years of experience in collecting and selling pre-Columbian art. We participate in the most important art fairs in Europe, such as BRAFA, Parcours des Mondes, Cultures Brussels, and others. We are a professional seller. All items sold will come with their professional invoice. Each item we sell will also include its own Certificate of Authenticity (warranty document), which includes a description, image, and provenance of the item.
Translated by Google TranslatePre-Columbian textile dolls from the central or southern coast of Peru. They resemble the so-called Funeral Dolls (Grabpuppen) or textile idols that were included as grave offerings.
* Chancay - Culture
The two funerary dolls are, in the opinion of an appraiser, the most significant pieces. Such completely preserved Chancay figures with clothing, hair, and headbands are not commonly found on the European market.
Lot 1
Peru, Chancay Culture (ascribed)
Anthropomorphic funerary doll
Late Intermediate Period, ca. 1000–1450 AD
Cotton, camelid wool and plant fibers.
Large anthropomorphic textile figure with a rectangular head, embroidered facial features, and applied woolen hair. The figure wears a woven headband with geometric decoration as well as a long woven garment. Several red-dyed cords wound around the neck and chest and textile appendages complete the depiction. Back with dense woolly hair covering.
Height ca. 22 cm.
Conservation with age-related wear, partial thread loss and small losses, overall remarkably complete.
Provenance: German private collection.
Lot 2
Peru, Chancay Culture
Anthropomorphic funerary doll
Late Intermediate Period, ca. 1000–1450 AD
Cotton, camelid wool and plant fibers.
Compact anthropomorphic textile figure with embroidered eyes, nose and mouth. Reddish woven headband, side-applied wool hair and patterned body cover. At the lower end remnants of an open net or woven pouch. The figure preserves a large part of its original textile adornment.
Height ca. 22 cm
Age-related defects, thread losses and signs of wear.
Provenance: German private collection.
⸻
Lot 3
Peru
Pre-Columbian hand spindle with thread
Wood, spun camelid wool and plant fibers.
Simple wooden spindle with wound thread, together with a bundle of unworked or partially prepared camelid wool. Comparable spindles are among the common grave offerings of pre-Columbian Peruvian cultures.
Origin: Acquired from the heirs of a teacher who purchased this object in the 1960s in Peru.
There is a provenance statement from the heirs and some old photos as proof of provenance
"☑ Compliance with European Legislation
I declare that I am familiar with Regulation (EU) 2019/880 and Regulation (EU) 2024/1070 (in force as of June 2025), and confirm that:
This object was not illegally exported from its country of origin after the date on which the 1970 UNESCO Convention entered into force for that specific country.
The object is accompanied by the documentation required by EU law for its legal import.
I undertake to provide any required export licenses or certificates of origin to European customs authorities.
☑ Disclaimer for Experts and Platforms.
This declaration is provided by the seller under their sole responsibility.The seller confirms knowledge of and compliance with Regulation (EU) 2024/1070 and all applicable laws concerning the sale and import of cultural goods.
Neither the platform nor its experts are liable for the accuracy, legality, or authenticity of the documents and statements provided.
Acceptance of the object on the platform does not imply legal validation of its importation or authentication.
The buyer is responsible for ensuring compliance with customs laws in their country."
Seller's Story
We are a Pre-Columbian Art Collector based in Germany with many years of experience in collecting and selling pre-Columbian art. We participate in the most important art fairs in Europe, such as BRAFA, Parcours des Mondes, Cultures Brussels, and others. We are a professional seller. All items sold will come with their professional invoice. Each item we sell will also include its own Certificate of Authenticity (warranty document), which includes a description, image, and provenance of the item.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Chancay
Century/timeframe
1000 BC
Name of object
Textile puppets (ca. 1000–1450 AD)
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Height
22 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1960
Width
14 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Europe
Depth
5 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
