Nereid (Sea-Nymph) from a Hanging
Unknown Artist
late 300s–400s CE
Medium
dyed wool, undyed linen
Dimensions
66.7 × 65.4 cm · mounted: 76.8 × 75.6 × 2.9 cm
Classification
Textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession Number
1953.18
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The brilliant colors and complex design of this panel, likely one of several forming a tapestry, testify to its makers’ skill. Vines and birds frame a nereid, a mermaidlike mythological creature, against a dark blue ground. The weaver has aligned different-colored threads to create shading and special details. Blue threads representing water are integrated into the weaving of the glass bowl. Alternating pink and blue threads combine to create a smoky effect around the nereid’s eyes. Small spots ...