Silk with lattice of animals in medallions
Unknown Artist
600s–800s
Medium
Silk: samite
Dimensions
25.7 × 34 cm · mounted: 32.4 × 40.6 cm
Classification
Textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession Number
1952.103
About this artwork
In this fragile silk, vines bearing heart-shaped florets form a diamond grid that displays different motifs in alternate rows. Pairs of ducks with ribbons flying behind their necks flank a palmette tree, showing Iranian influence, and alternate with two birds in lobed medallions. The patterns in such expensive silks were copied in less costly wool tapestry weave by Coptic weavers in Egypt.