Frazada No. 111 — The Maras Specimen | Fuchsia & Charcoal Vintage Peruvian Rug
Vintage Frazada
Frazada Rug
Archive No. 111 — Masterpiece Tier | Maras Region, Peru | Hand-Loomed Mid-20th Century
No. 111 is not the most colorful piece in the archive — it is the most complete. Sourced from the high-altitude weaving community of Maras, Peru, this specimen brings together every element that defines a masterpiece-tier Andean textile simultaneously — a power palette of fuchsia and charcoal, zoomorphic and geometric pallay symbols specific to the Maras tradition, a rare hand-crocheted scalloped border intact around the full perimeter, and a state of preservation that required professional conservation. There is no comparable piece in this archive. There may not be one anywhere.
Provenance & archival notes
No. 111 was sourced from Maras — a high-altitude community in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, approximately 40 kilometers from Cusco at an elevation of over 11,000 feet. The Maras weaving tradition is distinct from the broader Cusco highlands tradition — it developed in relative geographic isolation, producing textiles with a specific iconographic vocabulary that combines zoomorphic figures, geometric symbols, and high-contrast color fields in a way that is immediately recognizable to textile scholars.
The zoomorphic and geometric pallay symbols woven into the central bands of No. 111 are specific to this community — condors, serpents, and stylized felines rendered in earth-toned ochre and cream against the fuchsia and charcoal field. These are not decorative motifs. They are a visual language that encodes cosmological relationships between the community, the land, and the Andean spiritual tradition.
The scalloped crochet border elevates No. 111 into a separate category from standard utility Frazadas. This finishing technique — a rhythmic hand-crocheted border worked around the entire perimeter after the weaving is complete — was reserved for the finest domestic textiles, made to mark significant occasions or be given as high-status gifts. The border on No. 111 remains intact and undamaged around the full 62" x 52" perimeter. This piece has been professionally cleaned and conserved. It represents the peak of 20th-century Andean functional art. Acquired directly from the Maras region, Peru. One of a kind — when this piece sells, it is gone.
Curator's notes
- Masterpiece tier: No. 111 is the only piece in the archive designated masterpiece tier — a classification earned by the simultaneous presence of exceptional provenance, rare finishing technique, iconographic specificity, and outstanding preservation. Each of these qualities is significant independently. Together they are exceptional.
- Distinctive edge: The hand-crocheted scalloped border is intact around the full perimeter — a labor-intensive finishing detail reserved only for the finest domestic textiles in the Maras tradition. This single detail elevates No. 111 from a standard rug to a high-decorative object.
- High-contrast power palette: The fuchsia and charcoal combination is among the most architecturally commanding color pairings in the Andean textile tradition — designed to be the undisputed focal point of any room it enters.
- Maras iconography: The central bands contain zoomorphic and geometric symbols specific to the Maras weaving community — condors, serpents, and stylized felines in ochre and cream. This is a visual language, not decoration.
- Conservation status: Professionally cleaned and conserved. Minor character marks and tonal variations present — a DNA record of authentic history in the Andes, not damage.
Interior design application
No. 111 is not a supporting piece — it is the room. The fuchsia and charcoal power palette combined with the scalloped crochet border and Maras iconography creates a textile that functions simultaneously as floor covering, wall art, and cultural artifact. It performs best in contemporary, maximalist, gallery-style, and bold minimalist interiors where one exceptional object defines the entire design conversation.
At 62" x 52" it anchors a seating area, a reading corner, or a dining space with complete authority. Mounted as a wall installation it becomes the defining element of the room — the zoomorphic symbols and scalloped border read as architectural detail at eye level in a way that no floor placement fully reveals.
Recommended companion objects: matte black steel, raw concrete or polished cement, dark walnut wood, charcoal velvet upholstery, terracotta or unglazed clay. The fuchsia pulls warmth from dark materials. The charcoal grounds the palette. The ochre symbols tie the piece to earth tones across the room.
Use cases: primary seating area rug · monumental wall installation · gallery-style focal piece · maximalist dining room anchor · collector's centerpiece · architectural textile work
Technical specifications
- Archive number: No. 111
- Classification: Premium Vintage Andean Textile / Maras Frazada — Masterpiece Tier
- Dimensions: 62" x 52" (157 cm x 132 cm)
- Material: 100% high-altitude hand-spun Peruvian sheep wool
- Construction: Double-panel backstrap loom with hand-crocheted scalloped crochet finish
- Pattern: High-contrast fuchsia and charcoal bands with zoomorphic and geometric pallay symbols in ochre and cream — specific to the Maras weaving tradition
- Edge finish: Rare hand-crocheted scalloped border — fully intact around entire perimeter
- Condition: Excellent archival condition — professionally cleaned and conserved. Minor character marks and tonal variations consistent with authentic Andean provenance.
- Origin: Maras, Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru — mid 20th century
- Availability: One of a kind — this exact piece only
- Sale terms: Final sale — this is a one of a kind vintage textile sold in its authentic condition as described and photographed. No returns or exchanges.
- Shipping: Free within the United States
Care & conservation
No. 111 has been professionally cleaned and is in excellent archival condition. Hand-spun sheep wool is naturally soil-resistant due to its high lanolin content. For routine maintenance shake gently outdoors and air periodically in indirect sunlight — avoid prolonged direct sun exposure to protect the fuchsia and charcoal pigments. Spot clean only with cool water and a mild pH-neutral wool detergent if necessary. When vacuuming use suction only and avoid the scalloped crochet border entirely — never apply suction directly to the hand-crocheted edge. Professional dry cleaning only — specialist in antique or ceremonial textiles only. Never machine wash or tumble dry.
This piece has survived the high-altitude winters of Maras, Peru and professional conservation. With proper care it will remain a centerpiece object for generations.
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