1931.40: Band with Human and Animal Figures

Identification and Creation

Object Number

1931.40

Title

Band with Human and Animal Figures

Classification

Textile Arts

Work Type

textile

Places

Creation Place: Africa, Egypt

Period

Byzantine period

Culture

Byzantine

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/215293

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Linen and wool, tapestry woven

Technique

Woven, tapestry weave

Dimensions

10.16 x 31.75 cm (4 x 12 1/2 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Charles Bain Hoyt

Accession Year

1931

Object Number

1931.40

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Descriptions

Description

A thin brownish-purple band runs parallel to a red band containing a design of highly abstracted human and animal figures. Figures are done in yellow, brown, green, black, and red wool wefts. Human figures with arms raised repeat, one above the other, along the length of the band. Two of these figures stand next to large multicolored fish. Several of the other figures may have smaller fish attached to their belts and represent fishermen. In the yellow medallion at the center of this design, a small nude putto holds a green bird with red spots and crest. All figures are outlined in black. The figure to the right of the medallion holds up a green leaf in each hand, a common gesture by personifications of the earth. On the opposite side of the brown band, there is a red wave scroll border.

There is a gap between the purple band and the two red bands; some survivals of dark brown fabric suggest these gaps were likely once filled with dark brown wefts. A small area of dark brown also survives below the inhabited band. Areas of exposed warps in the human figures’ skin were probably also filled with brown wefts. The putto with the duck is primarily made up of exposed warps, but his dark brown hand survives on the green bird. Above the red wave scroll are remnants of undyed yellowish wefts.

Undyed warps.

Commentary

The frolicking figures with fish, leaves, and the green bird create an image of Nilotic abundance and celebration. The figure holding two leaves may also stretch forth a green scarf, referencing the traditional pose taken by larger-scale depictions of personifications of the Earth and seasons.

Very similar to four fragments in Cleveland Museum of Art (1929.108) with same figures, fish, and bird executed in different colors. The Cleveland fragments are inside a gold band instead of a red band and are oriented perpendicular to the direction of the band instead of parallel to it. Also similar to Cleveland’s 1929.104. Both Cleveland pieces come from the collection George D. Pratt.

Exhibition History

• 32Q: 3620 University Study Gallery, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 04/09/2018 - 04/09/2018

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