![| Unku [Tunic] with a 'tocapus' pattern](images/400/236004.jpg)
INCA culture 1400 – 1533 AD
Unku [Tunic] with a 'tocapus' pattern 1400-1533 AD cotton and wool110.0 (h) x 50.0 (w) cm Ministerio de Cultura del Perú: Museo Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología e Historia del Perú, Photograph: Daniel Giannoni
Tunics with square tocapus star patterns became a defining motif for the Incas. The tocapus was borrowed from the Chuquibamba culture and was reserved for the Incan governing class. Squares with an eight-pointed star or sun alternate with squares of four llama heads in various colour combinations. The garment was woven in one piece, with a selvedge opening, then seams were sewn on each side. Only males wove these high status garments, made from the finest alpaca wool and cotton.
Tunics with square tocapus star patterns became a defining motif for the Incas. The tocapus was borrowed from the Chuquibamba culture and was reserved for the Incan governing class. Squares with an eight-pointed star or sun alternate with squares of four llama heads in various colour combinations. The garment was woven in one piece, with a selvedge opening, then seams were sewn on each side. Only males wove these high status garments, made from the finest alpaca wool and cotton.
Tunics with square tocapus star patterns became a defining motif for the Incas. The tocapus was borrowed from the Chuquibamba culture and was reserved for the Incan governing class. Squares with an eight-pointed star or sun alternate with squares of four llama heads in various colour combinations. The garment was woven in one piece, with a selvedge opening, then seams were sewn on each side. Only males wove these high status garments, made from the finest alpaca wool and cotton.
