Super cool little Pre-Columbian textile. This rare, graphic piece was made as tassel or pendant. The image is that of a frog which is associated with water and fertility. Some examples of the type are attributed to the Wari culture and some to the Chimu culture. a.d. 500 - 1200. This example is worked in an embroidery structure using alpaca, cotton and what appears to be cactus fiber. Three and a half inch cactus spines (very sharp) dangle from the braided tassels. Size: 6 x 12 inches including its cactus spine appendages. Mounted it measures 9 x 13 inches. There are two related pieces published in Vanessa Drake Moraga's seminal work, Animal Myth and Magic - Images from Pre-Columbian Textiles, plates 58 and 99 - both illustrated here. This is a true collector piece.