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Poncho

Origin Peru
Title Poncho
Date Ca.1900–72
Medium Wool
Dimensions Overall: 44 5/8 x 34 in. (113.3 x 86.4 cm)
Credit Line Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University
Accession Number 72.49.31

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About this Work

A traditional item of clothing, the Andean poncho has transcended geographical and historical boundaries to embody cultural identities and artistic expression. Ponchos are a type of cultural manifestation that people adapt as their experiences shift from changing social and economic conditions. Initially, ponchos were made from cotton fibers and were created in South America. However, with the arrival of domesticated sheep in the sixteenth century, wool or other natural fibers became the material of choice, with the garment taking on a rectangular shape with a central opening for the head. Despite changing production methods and uses, ponchos remain relevant. They are valued as heritage symbols and link to a unique cultural tradition. The manufacturing process demonstrates how weaving techniques have been preserved and passed down through generations.


1972, Indiana University Art Museum purchase from Peter Petrall, Chapel Hill, NC

Unidentified date, Peter Petrall acquires [1]

Unidentified dates, unidentified owner(s), possibly in Peru and/or other places [2]

Notes
[1] Peter Petrall did not provide the museum with any further provenance documentation.

[2] We do not yet know how many changes in ownership transpired between when this artwork was initially made and owned to when Peter Petrall acquired it. The construction of this cloth suggests that it was likely made for the tourist market.

Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

August 26, 2023–February 18, 2024, “Textile Heritage in Central and South America,” Focus Gallery Exhibition, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

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"Poncho | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=72.49.31