after-treatment (2013) Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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after-treatment (2013) Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1975.41.7
Title
Cuff Band: Knot Motif
Classification
Textile Arts
Work Type
textile
Date
6th-7th century
Places
Creation Place: Africa, Egypt
Period
Byzantine period
Culture
Byzantine
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/288279

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Linen and wool, tapestry and plain weave
Technique
Woven, mixed technique
Dimensions
actual: 20.5 x 15.6 cm (8 1/16 x 6 1/8 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of The Hagop Kevorkian Foundation in memory of Hagop Kevorkian
Accession Year
1975
Object Number
1975.41.7
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Cuff band made up of two parallel tapestry bands decorated with geometric designs and interlace. The central rectangle in each tapestry band contains two Solomonic knots. The central rectangle is flanked by rectangles filled with diamond and X-shaped patterns created in the flying shuttle technique of supplementary weft wrapping in undyed threads. The supplementary wefts are of different thicknesses; some are very delicate threads. Supplementary weft wrapping in dark blue yarn divides segments of the Solomonic knots.

Between the two tapestry bands are 17 passes of plain weave with undyed linen weft. One of these passes contains two wefts, creating a self-band.

Undyed, paired linen warps run throughout. Wefts of undyed linen and dark blue wool.
Commentary
These bands might have had an apotropaic function: Solomon’s knot often appeared on thresholds and was thought to be protective.

Publication History

  • Persian & Egyptian Art, Oriental Rugs, Classic & Medieval Sculptures. The Kevorkian Collection., auct. cat., American Art Association (January 20-21, 1928), p. 40-41, no. 81
  • Ioli Kalavrezou, Byzantine Women and Their World, exh. cat., Harvard University Art Museums (Cambridge, MA, 2003), p. 269/fig. 160

Exhibition History

  • Byzantine Women and Their World, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 10/25/2002 - 04/28/2003
  • 32Q: 3740 Egyptian, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 11/17/2015 - 06/01/2016

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be 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