Textiles of Ancient Peru and Their Techniques [Textbook Binding]

D'Harcourt R (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2000

This magnificently illustrated work offers a comprehensive view of the textiles and techniques of pre-Columbian Peru. An introduction discusses yarns, dyes, looms, and raw materials; the first of the two-part text examines weaves, and the second considers such nonwoven materials as braiding, felt, and embroidery.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Textbook Binding: 322 pages
• Publisher: University of Washington Press (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0295953349
• ISBN-13: 978-0295953342
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,185,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-have for Andean textile classification, February 6, 2007

By 

archaeoamy (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Textiles of Ancient Peru and Their Techniques (Paperback)

We used this book and a few others for comparisons with a collection of ancient peruvian textiles at a museum I worked for several years ago. It was very useful and we referred to it frequently. It included all of the techniques used in the museum collection (consisting of 100's of fragments), and had plenty of pictures for examples. Of course the techniques aren't limited to Ancient Peru, but would apply to just about any textiles--(however the pictures are ancient peruvian). I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about ancient or modern textile techniques--a valuable resource in any museum with this type of collection.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A serious study on pre-Columbian textiles and weaving, November 3, 2009

By 

Caroline M. Alexander "kero1au" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Textiles of Ancient Peru and Their Techniques (Paperback)

This was one of the first serious attempts at examining the weaving techniques used on what is still considered one of the more primitive looms in use today. Many other researchers, weavers and non-weavers alike, have used this book as a basis for their work, and built upon the research he did, so it is one of the bibles on South American indigenous weaving.
The text is somewhat dry because this is not a coffee table book; and the photographs of textiles are unfortunately in black and white, but there is more than enough information here for several more authoritative books on the subject, and is a must for the serious weaving or textile student. It is divided up into sections that attempt to give a classification of the types of textiles found, and the methods used to create them. Textile production, and the way the garments or artifacts were constructed and decorated, had great religious and social significance, and the methods used were/are anything but primitive, although most looms consist of a bundle of sticks.
There is nothing on basic weaving techniques as such; this is not an instruction book on how to do backstrap weaving, but is a must have for anyone interested in taking their weaving beyond the basics, and understanding what the loom is really capable of. Multi-shaft loom weavers will also find it interesting as many of the techniques described bear a striking resemblance to techniques practiced today around the world in other weaving cultures. It is helpful in re-interpreting these techniques for the modern loom. As someone who is studying backstrap weaving techniques, I would not be without this book as it is good to go back to see, study and understand the diagrams, photographs and descriptions of the textiles the author examined.
An excellent resource for those interested in Pre-Columbian textiles and weaving traditions.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will please any avid textile artist, July 11, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Textiles of Ancient Peru and Their Techniques (Paperback)

This unabridged reproduction of a 1962 classic should be an essential edition to any textile collection: Textiles Of Ancient Peru And Their Techniques covers raw materials form Peru, weaves unique to the region, and techniques and materials used in nonwoven efforts. The result will please any avid textile artist.