1931.35.6: Band with Humans and Animals in Medallions
Textile Arts
This object does not yet have a description.
Identification and Creation
- Object Number
- 1931.35.6
- Title
- Band with Humans and Animals in Medallions
- Classification
- Textile Arts
- Work Type
- textile
- Date
- 4th-5th century CE
- Places
- Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Africa
- Period
- Byzantine period
- Culture
- Byzantine
- Persistent Link
- https://hvrd.art/o/214658
Physical Descriptions
- Medium
- Purple and buff wool on undyed linen, tapestry woven
- Technique
- Woven, tapestry weave
- Dimensions
- 22 x 13.5 cm (8 11/16 x 5 5/16 in.)
Acquisition and Rights
- Credit Line
- Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Charles Bain Hoyt
- Accession Year
- 1931
- Object Number
- 1931.35.6
- Division
- Asian and Mediterranean Art
- Contact
- am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
- Permissions
-
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Descriptions
- Description
-
An inwoven tapestry band decorated with purple vine circles containing animals and humans. A design of inverted scallops topped with leaves forms a border that runs on both sides of the band. Within the arch formed by each scallop is a shape that resembles a suspended fruit/flower basket. A third border of another band survives, though the band it originally outlined does not. The surviving border indicates that the bands on this textile were placed quite close together. Within the main band, a scrolling vine forms inhabited loops and medallions. A central medallion contains a pair of dancers, one much taller than the other and wearing a long tunic and scarves. Pairs of small circles contain rabbits, birds, and putti; tendrils and grape leaves extend from these circles.
Supplementary undyed wefts (‘flying shuttle’) create fine details. Darning closes the slits the two sides of the central medallion with dancers. Although most of the tapestry is slit tapestry, some instances of interlock are used to secure other slits. Strongly eccentric wefts create the curves of the design. An area of weft-faced weave runs between the tapestry bands.
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