Amarras Replication Research Project

This research project has been an international collaborative effort of scholars and artisans in order to understand the techniques and smbolism of amarras (Pre-Columbian shibori). A greater understanding of the unusual and amazing techniques used can be found through the careful hand-replication of Pre-Columbian amarras ususing materials (fibers and dyes) matching historical samples,. Findings were shared at the International Shibori Symposium '99 (ISS'99) in Santiago.

Researchers:

Chile: Soledad Hoces de la Guardia

India: Seema Chandna, Aditi Ranjan

Japan: Kozo Takeda

Peru: Hitoshi Sakane de Amano

USA: James Bassler, Angelina Deantonis, Krisa Fredrickson, Ana Lisa Hedstrom, Jennifer Mackey Andres Moraga, Angelica Pereyra, Andrea Serrahn, Karen Urbanek, Yoshiko I. Wada

original Nasca piece
replica of nasca

Original Pre-Columbian amarras piece (close-up view)
Middle Horizon, Wari-related, Nasca area, South Coast
A.D. 500-800
114 x 187cm
Tie dyed plain-weave discontinuous warp and weft pieces reassembled with warps dovetailed and weft slits sewn

Replication
Made in 1999
scaffold woven fabrics by James Bassler and Angelica Pereyra

Tie-dying by US group

original openwork

replica of openwork

Original Pre-Columbian amarras piece
Late-Intermediate Period, Chancay, Central Coast
A.D. 1000-1476
35.5 x 26cm
Plain-weave double cloth

Replication of fabric used
made in 1999
fabric by Seema Chandna

Tie-dying by US group