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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1931.35.1
Title
Square with Two Human Figures
Classification
Textile Arts
Work Type
textile
Date
5th-6th century
Places
Creation Place: Africa, Egypt
Period
Byzantine period
Culture
Byzantine
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/214579

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Purple and buff colored wool
Technique
Woven, tapestry weave
Dimensions
13.34 x 40.64 cm (5 1/4 x 16 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Charles Bain Hoyt
Accession Year
1931
Object Number
1931.35.1
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Tapestry-woven square in brownish purple, yellowish (undyed?), and cream-colored wool wefts. At its center, is a purple square containing two stout yellow dancers each holding unidentified objects in both hands, perhaps the long scarves typical of dancers. A field of busy, abstract, unreadable motifs surrounds this inner square; details of this field’s design were created with supplementary wefts of cream wool. The borders at top and bottom of the square differ slightly from those at the right and left. Details of the borders are done in ‘flying shuttle’ technique of supplementary weft wrapping in a light colored thread. Supplementary weft wrapping, though in a thicker or plied thread, also creates the cream colored lines that run parallel to the warp direction. The warp runs perpendicular to the design of the dancers.

Exhibition History

Verification Level

This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu