Bag Possibly 1000 - 1476

This Chancay bag at the Art Institute of Chicago, of unknown date, is woven with symbolic patterns. The repeating geometric motifs are not mere decoration; they likely held deep significance within the Chancay culture, perhaps representing social structures, spiritual beliefs, or natural elements. Motifs and patterns often transcend specific cultures, appearing in different forms across time. Think of the swastika: an ancient religious symbol that has been found in archaeological remains across Eurasia, used by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains, before it was appropriated and transformed by the Nazis, acquiring its modern association with hate. The bag’s enduring presence invites us to consider the threads of human experience that connect us to those who came before, their hopes and fears woven into the very fabric of their creations.