Panel with Winged Figures
Unknown Artist
5th century
Medium
Wood; painted in encaustic
Dimensions
H. 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm) W. 19 1/8 in. (48.6 cm) Thickness. 1/2 in. (1.3 cm)
Classification
Wood
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1939
Accession Number
39.158.1
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Panel with Winged Figures*, crafted in the 5th century, offers a glimpse into the rich artistic traditions of the ancient Near East, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Department of Islamic Art. Measuring just 11¼ inches high and 19⅛ inches wide, this thin wooden panel (½ inch thick) features enigmatic winged figures, evoking the mythical motifs common in late antique decoration. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 9, it stands as a testament to the enduring allure of early carved and painted woodwork. The panel's medium—wood painted in encaustic—is particularly notew...