Harvard Art Museums > 1927.6.17: Fragment of Akhmim Silk Textile Arts Collections Search Exit Deep Zoom Mode Zoom Out Zoom In Reset Zoom Full Screen Add to Collection Order Image Copy Link Copy Citation Citation"Fragment of Akhmim Silk , 1927.6.17,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Dec 22, 2024, https://hvrd.art/o/215292. Reuse via IIIF Toggle Deep Zoom Mode Download This object does not yet have a description. Identification and Creation Object Number 1927.6.17 Title Fragment of Akhmim Silk Classification Textile Arts Work Type textile Date 7th-9th century Places Creation Place: Africa, Egypt Period Islamic period Culture Egyptian Persistent Link https://hvrd.art/o/215292 Physical Descriptions Medium Silk Technique Woven Acquisition and Rights Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Dr. Denman W. Ross Accession Year 1927 Object Number 1927.6.17 Division Asian and Mediterranean Art Contact am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu Permissions The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request. Descriptions Description Light colored plant motifs stand out against a purple background. The plants are symmetrical, 'candelabra' style motifs. This textile is a weft-faced compound weave (samite). Red main warps are visible in areas of damage. Trimmings from the fabric have been positioned along the upper and rightmost edges of this square fragment. Commentary This silk contains plant motifs similar to those that appear on the so-called 'Akhmim silks' excavated at Akhmim (ancient Panopolis) by Robert Forrer. The candelabra tree motif on the Akhmim silks is discussed by Thelma Thomas, see below.1 Akhmim silks have been radiocarbon dated to the 7-10th centuries.2 1. Thelma Thomas, "'Ornaments of Excellence' from 'the miserable gains of commerce': Luxury Art and Byzantine Culture," in Byzantium and Islam: Age of Transition, (New York: Metropolitan Museum, 2), p. 132. 2. A. De Moor, S. Schrenk, and C. Verhecken-Lammens, "New Research on the So Called Akhmim Silks." In S. Schrenk, (ed.), Textiles in Situ. Their Find Spots in Egypt and Neighbouring Countries in the First Millennium, Riggisberger Berichte 13 (Riggisberg 2006), pp. 85–94. See also Schrenk, Textilien des Mittelmeerraumes, cat. 114, cat. J46, cat. 147 for dated Akhmim silks. 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
