In the 17th century Spanish trade ships traveled between Manila, Mexico and Peru — carrying silk, porcelain and spices from China in exchange for silver from the New World. Andean master weavers were inspired by Asian designs and began incorporating both Chinese and European symbols of power and wealth into their tapestry production.
This lavish Peruvian tapestry is an example of this cultural fusion. Finely woven from local camelid fibers and Chinese silk, it features a medley of motifs from Europe and China. The central white pelican, native to Peru, feeds her young with droplets of her own blood — a symbol used by Catholic missionaries to represent Jesus’ sacrifice. The unicorn and crowned lions are also European designs, brought to Peru from Spain.
Other motifs are of Chinese origin. Large peony flowers symbolize springtime and good fortune. The one-horned creature at the top and bottom is the “xiezhi,” a mythical being capable of distinguishing good from evil. The image was used on rank badges worn by Chinese censors responsible for weeding out corruption. When the Ming dynasty fell in 1644, the uniforms of civil servants changed, and the obsolete badges were exported out of China along with other silk textiles.
This tapestry was likely produced as a furnishing fabric for Spanish clientele. The unilateral orientation of the animals in the design suggests that it was displayed on the wall.
