Arkivism
Napkin with a herm, a god, and lions amidst acanthus leaves
Public domain

Napkin with a herm, a god, and lions amidst acanthus leaves

anonymous · c. 1850 - c. 1899 · satijnbinding; damask; linen (material)

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

Linen damask napkin with a herm, god, and lions amidst acanthus leaves. Central field: quatrefoils of floral bouquets with roses and scattered foliage. In the unframed quatrefoils, the bouquets, each placed on two acanthus volutes, are set diagonally. Corners: diagonally placed a herm with a Midas head (or donkey's head?), with musical instruments and thyrsus staffs. On the left and right, a facing lion, held in check by a winged young god (Apollo?) draped in drapery. Borders: without a dividing line, the field is surrounded by a broad border of symmetrical acanthus scrolls. Alternately, the deeply incised, feathered leaf volutes carry a basket of fruit and flowers, or they stand in two facing spirals that end in a ram's mask, above two flower branches and a pinecone.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Subjects
napkin
Credit lineServet met herme, god en leeuwen te midden van acanthusbladeren. c. 1850 - c. 1899. anonymous. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

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