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Tapestry fragment
Egyptian (Antinoopolis?)
Early Byzantine
6th–7th century A.D.
Medium/Technique
Wool and linen, tapestry
Dimensions
Height x width: 30.7 x 48 cm (12 1/16 x 18 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number27.566
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsTextiles
DescriptionThis textile fragment is composed by continuous patterning, which is the effect of mechanized patterned weaving. The design on the red woolen ground depicts facing pairs of crested and beribboned birds; candelabra trees with rosettes alternating with jar-like motifs from which stem pairs of the foreparts of animals (possibly rams?), and male heads that have long hair and beards and wear jeweled crowns. This design shows Sasanian influence which was typical in the 5th and 6th centuries; the use of red ground was common in Sasanian weavings. It has been suggested that the textile could have possible been a product of Antinoopolis.
Warp: red wool; ground: red wool. Design: woven with yellow, green and blue wool and natural-colored linen. Worn and patched. Probably a fragment of a hanging.
Warp: red wool; ground: red wool. Design: woven with yellow, green and blue wool and natural-colored linen. Worn and patched. Probably a fragment of a hanging.