- Identification and Creation
-
- Object Number
- 1975.41.29
- Title
- Fragment of a Hanging: Amazonomachy
- Classification
- Textile Arts
- Work Type
- tapestry
- Date
- 4th-6th century
- Places
- Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Africa, Egypt (Ancient)
- Period
- Byzantine period, Early
- Culture
- Byzantine
- Persistent Link
- https://hvrd.art/o/288816
- Physical Descriptions
-
- Medium
- Wool, tapestry woven
- Technique
- Tapestry
- Dimensions
- actual: 103.5 x 53.5 cm (40 3/4 x 21 1/16 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
- 1975.41.29
- Division
- Asian and Mediterranean Art
- Contact
- am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
- 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
- Repeated scene of an armed man striking a seated figure inside medallions. Several smaller figures recoil from his action. Diaper pattern border along top.
The textile in its current state is made up of several medallions patched together. Parts from at least 3 (possibly more) different medallions are discernable.
Tapestry over one warp
Warps: S spun whitish wool
Wefts: S spun colored wool - Commentary
- Scene depicted in the medallions could be Achilles killing the Amazon Penthesilea. The version of this scene on the Dura Europos shield is iconographically similar to the composition of the medallions. Version on the tondo of a 5th century BCE Attic red-figure kylix found at Vulci is also similar, with other people on the perimeter of the scene.
- Publication History
-
"Pagan and Christian Egypt: Egyptian Art from the First to the Tenth Century A.D." (1941), Brooklyn Museum, p. 74, no. 234, ill.
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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