A Peruvian Catafalque
Nathalie H. Zimmern
In a recent survey of Peruvian colonial tapestries, the identification rare catafalque now in Textile Museum District Columbia constituted first step precisely dating these weavings.1 Made alpaca and cotton,2 fabric is decorated with four figures set niches floral scrolls above below, all executed red, blue, white gold on dark brown background (Fig. IA, B). The principal are two skeletons. One wears royal crown holds scepter mace, other papal tiara cross, leaving no doubt that main represent King Pope. mutilated ends indicate originally piece was larger probably included another panel or panels. It likely cloth covered front an altar. rectangular shape textile certainly width (5′ 5 1/2″ by 3′ 4 1/2″) support such theory. has also been suggested may have cylindrical.3 only actual information we concerning this it acquired more than twenty-five years ago, Chile, where said to be altar from Peru.
Art Bulletin