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Silk with lattice of animals in medallions
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
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.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineSilk with lattice of animals in medallions, 600s–800s. Egypt or Syria. Silk: samite; overall: 25.7 x 34 cm (10 1/8 x 13 3/8 in.); mounted: 32.4 x 40.6 cm (12 3/4 x 16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund, 1952.103
