The Jeanne Bryant Peruvian Textile Study Collection

Background Information• Jim and Jeanne Bryant were teachers that taught in Peru

during the 1970s.• During their time in Peru they acquired hundreds of textiles

from all of the regions.• Between 1971 to 1975 Jim Bryant donated a large amount

of the textiles to Norman Herrett’s Museum.• In 1980 Norman Herrett died, after which Jeanne Bryant

donated her collection of sample textiles to the Herrett Center for the Arts and Sciences.

• Jeanne Bryant’s collection was donated as a separate collection for the sole purpose of studying it.

• All pieces are grave goods.• Some pieces are similar, however several are rare

representations of particular motifs.

The Collection• This study collection has over 500 pieces in it.• It has examples from each region/area, culture of PeruNorth:Chavin ~900 to 1 B.C.Moche ~1 B.C. to 750 A.D.Chimu or Chimor ~ 1000 to 1500 A.D.Central:Pachamachay ~8000 to 2000 B.C.Huari ~ 500 to 800 A.D.Chancay ~ 1000 to 1500 A.D.South:Paracas ~ 600 to 1 B.C.Nazca ~ 1 to 500 A.D.

Huari

Chimu or Chimor

Moche

The Problem

• The collection needed to be catalogued and studied.

• The collection needed to be placed in an on-line database.

• The collection needs conservation work.

The Method• Each textile was given a catalogue ID.• Measured by length and width• Thread count was taken on warp and weft• Selvage ends were counted, if any• Fiber determined for all threads• Colors used recorded• Motif/design recorded• Type of weave and spinning style• Date, region/area, culture determined if possible• Photograph taken• Notes of condition, need of conservation, and any other

observations were documented• Index card (paper and digital) was created using data gathered• Digital library created using Dreamweaver/Nvivo (in progress)

Conservation Efforts• Some conservation work was done in Peru prior to the pieces being brought to the

U.S.• Further conservation efforts are at a stand still due to funding and the development

of better techniques.

The Next Steps• Research the significance of specific motifs and their

relation to the cultural area still uses them.*for example: The Moche’s use of sexually explicit

design in their ceramics which is absent in their weavings.*The significance of the Staff God in the Northern

regions and the absence of it in the Southern.

• Conduct a case study on modern day weavers and the affects that globalization has had on their traditions of weaving, rituals and story telling.